The Iwokrama International Centre had its origins in an offer made in 1989 by then President Desmond Hoyte at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malaysia to donate nearly one million acres of forest in central Guyana to show how tropical forests can be conserved and sustainably used for ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. At a time when environmental issues were of increasing global concern it was recognised as a valuable contribution and was acknowledged as such at more than one international meeting.
Its achievements are well known. As noted in its Business Plan that covers the years 2006-2110, it has acquired an international reputation for research into community inclusive rainforest conservation, has established comprehensive ecosystem inventories of the Iwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands, has created a model for commercially sustainable management of tropical forest assets and resources and has developed international academic links including for future research into mitigation of climate change by tropical forests.
Under the dedicated and resourceful chairmanship of former British High Commissioner Edward Glover, the Board of Trustees is trying to move towards self-sufficiency and thus to ensure the development and survival of the centre.
The key objectives of its Business Plan for the next four years are to raise donor funding of up to US$2 million to enable it to maintain a core research programme and the existing infrastructure and to promote business development. At the same time, it seeks to invest in and develop profit-making enterprises in tourism, forestry, training and intellectual property and services.
A local airstrip has been built by the government and the Board hopes this improvement in access will give a major boost to tourism. It is moving to significantly upgrade accommodation and facilities, and projects an increase in tourism of 31% from 2007 to 2010. A new investor/operator is being sought for a joint-venture development to open in 2011.
Iwokrama and the North Rupununi Wetlands have been gaining recognition as a premier eco-tourist destination. Recent visits by representatives of bird-watching organisations have been particularly encouraging though some of them stressed the need for further development of the existing facilities.
An area has been reserved for sustainable forestry and the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed an amount for extraction each year. Phase 1 of an eight-year forestry development strategy is underway in the form of a timber harvesting agreement with Tiger Woods Inc, a newly formed company of which Sir Shridath Ramphal is the chairman.
Finally, the Business Plan embraces the provision of long- and short-term residential courses in protected area management, ranger and tour guide training, the development of global models for sustainable, profit making rainforest enterprises and intellectual property/services which would include payments for eco-system services, bio-sample testing for overseas universities and research organisations and international consultancies in sustainable business management.
Iwokrama has survived so far, largely with grants which are increasingly hard to get. This is a bold and creative effort by the new Board to move towards national self-sufficiency. It is a project of which all Guyanese can be proud and one must hope that the funds can be raised to kick-start the plans and that Mr Glover’s bold initiatives will bear fruit.
