An initiative was yesterday launched for the rehabilitation of the Botanical Gardens, the Zoological Park and the National Park.
The “Three Parks Initiative,” which will cost $200 million for the completion of its first phase, was launched by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment in partnership with Conservation International – Guyana and the Beharry Group of Companies.
At the launch, Minister Robert Persaud pointed out that for the past 18 years the zoological park has deteriorated and noted many calls by citizens for something to be done.
“As a minister of the government, we take full responsibility for the state in which it is now in. Our mandate is to bring the National Park and the [Zoological] Park up to standard,” Persaud said.
Persaud called upon the private sector to assist with the rehabilitation and the maintenance of these “urban parks” to make them a “model” for the Caribbean. “We need to be futuristic about this approach because what we are trying to do is have all three parks display a rich biodiversity to visitors,” Persaud noted.
He said that there has been a lack of interest, resulting in the destruction of the facilities and he urged citizens to exercise care with the new projects.
Persaud also noted that the issue of security in the National Park is part of the agenda under the initiative. He said that the park’s north-eastern section, which is normally used as an escape route for bandits after robberies in the vicinity, will be fenced to prevent further incidents.
Asked about the entire cost for the initiative, Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission Damian Fernandes said that two meetings are scheduled to discuss further plans and cost is on the agenda.
Persaud said that the first phase will cost roughly $200 million but added that the figure could increase because of the governments other priorities.
Fernandes said work is scheduled to begin next month and the first phase could take two months to complete.
Questioned on whether additional animals will be added to the zoo, Fernandes told reporters they would use the same species of animals that are already in the zoo, and there are plans for additions.
