The Commonwealth in Action
back to first page |
p.2 |
p.3 |
p.4 |
p.5 |
p.6
Conserving the environment
Iwokrama - a place of refuge
Deep in the remote forests of the South American country of Guyana a unique experiment is taking place. At the meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1989, the prime minister of Guyana, told the Commonwealth that his government was prepared to set aside an area of rainforest covering nearly 4,000 square kilometres. What was proposed was new: one half of the area would remain as an untouched wilderness; the other half would be managed. The 'managed' half was to be run in such a way that the people, animals and plants benefit. What was being proposed was an experiment in sustainable development.
A management centre was set up in the capital of Guyana, Georgetown. The area of Iwokrama is a day's drive away in a four-wheel drive vehicle, and then by boat on the mighty River Essequibo.
There are several partners involved in the project. The key partners are the people who live in the forest – the Amerindians. It is vital to the project that they are treated with justice and respect. They have helped to build the field centre in Iwokrama; they provide knowledge on the valuable medicinal plants which can be found in the forest. They will benefit from employment provided by properly managed timber production, eco-tourism and the collection of medicinal plants.
back to first page |
p.2 |
p.3 |
p.4 |
p.5 |
p.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
