Iwokrama to tighten security on forest reserve
By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
January 17, 2004
Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation and Development is taking steps to tighten up on security and better monitor activities in its reserve, in wake of the increased number of people traveling along the Mabura/ Lethem road, which passes through the reserve.
The Center has a number of strategies it is going to put in place this year.
So says Director General (Ag.) Dr. Graham Watkins.
Dr. Watkins spoke at a press conference that followed Iwokrama's 10th Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday last.
One of these steps is to seek government's assistance in deploying police and army personnel at the ranger stations at both ends of the reserve. Iwokrama is still in negotiation with the government on this issue.
Dr. Watkins said the center is going to ensure all the rangers are recognized as Supernumerary and Rural Constables. Currently only some are recognized as Constables and are able to enforce the laws of Guyana.
Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation is hoping that by the second quarter of this year checkpoints will be placed at both ends of the reserve, where the road passes through, and a patrolling vehicle along the traffic, once permission is given.
During last year, there was a patrolling programme which the drivers at Iwokrama were implementing to check for things, people and infractions along the road.
Dr. Watkins said there are reports of animal hunting along the road, which is as a result of increasing traffic. Hunting is prohibited in the Iwokrama reserve.
The road will provide access for people at points of entry into areas that were not previously accessible, he explained.
Transportation along the road has increased substantially and there are now buses running daily along that route. It is definitely going to have a much bigger impact as the condition of the road improves.
Rangers are now stationed full time along the road. The ranger stations at Cork Wood and Kurupukari and also the station at the Canopy Walkway are functional.
Although the road is has both negative and positive impact for Iwokrama there is a much broader issue - the cultural impact that will affect communities outside of the reserve. Solid waste management is one of the issues that will have to be addressed.
Dr. Watkins said that this year the center would be looking at developing an environmental management system to reduce littering, for example, which has started to be a growing problem in the interior.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues at the press conference said this problem is not peculiar to Iwokrama. However, the government is now examining reports that include recommendations on how security could be provided along the road.
Iwokrama is an autonomous not- for- profit research and development institution established by Guyana and the Commonwealth.
The center manages the 3,700 square kilometers of Iwokrama forest in central Guyana, demonstrating how tropical forest biodiversity may be conserved and sustainably utilize for ecological, social and economic benefits.