According to a press release the grant was obtained through the KfW Small Grants component of the Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Project. The grant agreement was signed on February 5 between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is the executing agency for GPAS, and the National Parks Commission on behalf of the Kaieteur Park.
The KfW Small Grants Component of GPAS is funded by the German government and supports conservation and livelihood projects within and near to protected areas and areas proposed for protection. The GFA Consulting Group is assisting the EPA in implementing this component.
The Kaieteur National Park was established in 1929 and today covers an area of 627 square kilometres (242 square miles). The park is known for its rich biodiversity and the Kaieteur Falls. The idea of a visitor arrival centre emerged in 1999 and was reinforced at the Tourism Charette held at the park in 2003.
The centre “would be a unique complex with facilities for an interactive display, craft store, waiting area, dining area, restroom, improved communication and properly constructed footpaths and walkways,” the release said. Two other projects for the park have been funded in the recent past under the KfW Small Grants Component of the project. These were for providing field kits for the Park Wardens and a boat/engine for Waratuk to improve monitoring activities in the park. Additionally, a $24M grant agreement was recently signed for the construction of a warden/guesthouse at Tukeit.
