`Friends of Kaieteur Initiative', Tourism Awareness Month launched
Guyana Chronicle
November 2, 2003
LAST Friday, the Kaieteur National Park Board, which functions under the aegis of the National Parks Commission, collaborated with the Guyana Tourism Authority, to launch both the `Friends of Kaieteur Initiative' and the `Tourism Awareness Month 2003'.
Dr. Desrey Caesar Fox, an anthropologist and linguist, introduced by Mr. Donald Sinclair - Chairman of the evening's proceedings - as the first Guyanese Amerindian woman to earn a doctorate, gave a brief talk on the etymology of the word Kaieteur as well as some other Amerindians words. She also recounted one of the legends of Kaeiteur.
Ms. Inge Nathoo, General Manager of the National Parks Commission in her remarks said that the Kaieteur National Park Board, since its recommissioning in April of this year, has had to explore creative ways of fundraising in order to keep the administration of the Park running smoothly. She thanked in particular the tour operators who have been assisting the KNP Board with transporting supplies and assisting in communications to and from the National Park.
In his presentation, on the `Friends of Kaieteur Initiative', Director of Conservation International (Guyana), Mr. Clayton Hall said that it is the hope of those behind the initiative that the Kaieteur Falls will one day be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chairman of the KNP Board, Mr. Shyam Nokta, speaking on Guyana's tourism potential and conservation goals, said that the development and promotion of Kaieteur National Park as a tourism destination was part of a larger eco-tourism project backed by international organisations such as the Organisation of American States (OAS). He encouraged the private sector, donors, and the public to use the `Friends of Kaieteur Initiative' to share in the treasure of Kaieteur.
Navin Chanderpal during his presentation on Friday. Seated from left are Mr. Donald Sinclair, Executive Director of GTA; Dr. Desrey Caesar Fox; and Inge Nathoo, General Manager of the National Parks Commission.
Delivering the feature presentation of the afternoon, Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Mr. Navin Chanderpal, said that Kaieteur Falls represents what should be the ideal in tourism in Guyana. He said that the tourism potential of the area must be developed while recognising the rich biodiversity that exists there as well.
It was his opinion that, though world heritage sites are usually granted that status "in clusters", Kaieteur Falls can stand on its own as a world heritage site. He said that Kaieteur Falls should be developed as a tourism package that caters both to foreign tourists and Guyanese as well.
Other activities for the evening included two dances, one by an Amerindian dance troupe and the other by the National Dance School; and presentations of plaques to three tour operators for their contribution to the development of the Park's tourism potential.
Both before and after the programme events, there was an exhibition on different aspects of the Hinterland. (Ruel Johnson)