WWF Guianas report important to country’s quest to stay on low carbon path – Natural Resources Minister – as 2012 report launched
In observance of Earth Day, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today launched its 2012 living Guianas report, a compilation of relevant scientific data for which environmental research was carried out for two years in Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.
The Report singled out some of the similar challenges the Guianas face in this area as compared to the rest of the world.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud stated that such a report is very important, not only to Guyana’s quest to stay on track with the low carbon development path, but also to remind people of some of the challenges and lessons, so that they can also learn from neighbouring countries which face similar challenges, and which are themselves engaged in comparable activities.
A report documenting some of the issues he said, “Will allow us to become wiser in developing policies, assess and take stock of where we are and where we intend to go in this regard”.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud speaking at the launch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 2012 living Guianas report at the Cara Lodge, Quamina Street
Guyana possesses a significant amount of natural wealth as 88% of its landmass is covered with forest. Minister Persaud reminded of the country’s abundant natural resources, such as, forestry, minerals and stones, and the fact that Government is looking to diversify and develop others.
“We are very conscious of our responsibility in terms of managing the environment,” he said, and spoke of the objective of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), a model for others to emulate.
Minister Persaud reiterated Government’s commitment to continue to pursue development of its natural resources, but proving that they ought not to be in conflict with the sustainable management of the environment.
“And in Guyana, that for us is a living reality and that is why on Earth Day we are proud to say these things and to reaffirm the need for us to be aware that there are challenges,” he said.
The report observed that Guyana has the lowest level of deforestation and the largest landmass compared to Suriname and French Guiana.
Minister Persaud highlighted that the mining sector is growing rapidly, there is demand for land and the output and declaration are at an all time high.
On the issue of potential impact on water waste, it was noted that even with gold mining Guyana is well below, with 969 kilometers of water impacted.
‘It gives us an indication that some of the things we are doing we are on the right track, we may not be doing an excellent job, there are tremendous challenges in all areas, but it shows that as a country we are on the right track,” Minister Persaud pointed out.
He commended the WWF and reaffirmed government’s commitment to keep that balance in terms of the development of the country’s rich natural resources.
