The National Parks Commis-sion on Thursday launched the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) Management Plan proposal and held a public consultation where concerns were raised about mining near the area among other things.
The objective of the forum was to provide an opportunity for partners and stakeholders to comment on the proposed management plan.
At the forum which was held at the Rupununi Room of the Tower Hotel, Dr Graham Watkins, Protected Area Specialist of the project stated that at the moment, the plan does not have anything in writing.
He said the project committee decided to commence the creation of the plan by interacting with members of the public and various stakeholders including the government and the business sector.
He said many issues needed to be highlighted in the planning process, including several foreseeable challenges. Among the challenges listed by Watkins were sourcing of finance, mining issues, and compilation of a clear and concise planning document which would reflect agreements and recommendations between the various stakeholders.
Another challenge highlighted by Watkins is the need for the establishment of a concrete and integrated list of objectives.
He also posited that this would bring about a shared vision for the development of the KNP.
He said issues highlighted in the process will entail follow-ups which will ultimately require the commitment and support of everyone involved.
Watkins further stated that there should be clearly defined lines regarding which agency or organization would have responsibility for the management of different aspects of the KNP.
Several members of the audience made comments about the planning process. While some persons agreed that improvement measures should be implemented to develop the infrastructural aspect of KNP, most were of the opinion that the natural habitat of the declared protected area should be preserved.
Among those were famed Guyanese musician Dave Martins who noted that in North America and other parts of the world, the authorities had over the years implemented measures to develop national parks but destroyed the natural and pristine outlook of those scenic products of Mother Nature. He said KNP being a protected area should be left as it is.
Community
involvement
Annette Arjoon, who spoke on behalf of Air Services Limited, stated that the company has given its commitment to contribute to the planning process while Father Malcolm Rodriques noted that the project team needed to obtain the views of the ordinary man in the street. He said he admired and supported the forum and volunteered to assist in the planning process.
He also noted that there should be more community involvement as regards the Chenapau Village and other communities located within the protected area.
Rodriques said also that on most occasions consultations are usually carried out with the Toshaos of those communities but the participation of the common man in those areas could add to the development process.
Another member of the audience pointed out that the colour of the water at Kaieteur Falls has changed noticeably. He said this was as a result of the heavy presence of miners in the area. He also noted that the development of a road leading to the area, if considered, should come with certain rules since it would lead to the destruction of the protected area.
Dr Watkins observed that the issue of miners’ presence in the area will be addressed within the process since it was identified as a problematic issue. The forum attracted the attention of some 100 persons and the project committee is inviting suggestions from members of the public, including tour operators and corporate Guyana to add their views to the planning process.
According to the National Parks Commission, the implementing agency of the KNP board, the plan will guide the conservation and management of the KNP over the coming eight years and in the coming weeks the planning committee will be working towards the creation of the management plan.
