Dear Editor,
This is more ‘eyepass’ from Baishanlin, which has built a 130-kilometre road without following proper government protocol.
Mr James Singh, Commisioner of Forests, had claimed that before Baishanlin would be allowed to harvest any tree, it had to meet strict requirements: “They have to have an approved Annual Operation Plan, in addition to that, they have to do a 100% pre-harvest inventory of the areas that are being logged, and only after we verify that the information is factual and correct, then we give them permission – and they have to follow all the code of practices that we have – including log targeting.” Has Mr Singh summoned the officials of Baishanlin to make sure that those requirements were adhered to?
Mr Singh had also stated, “according to the Forest Commission’s records, Bai Shan Lin has 2 state forest permits – for which it has to fulfil a number of requirements.” What is involved in a State Forest Permit? Permits are issued for 3 years. “During that time, the company has to do an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. It has to do a Forest Inventory, and it has to do a Business Plan.”
Were an EIA and SIA done? If so, are they available to the public?
I feel that the likes of Dr Janette Bulkan might be in order for such a task.
The Amerindian people are concerned about their traditional way of life – their land is being literally and figuratively being bulldozed away, slowly but surely. The Chinese are getting richer and richer, but there are environmental and social costs. And it is unfortunate that President Ramotar has defended Baishanlin in a wholesale way and seems to bypass the environmental concerns that the Guyanese people have been becoming riled about over the last few months. The Chinese should know that providing medical services and training, and giving aid to the country would not cut it. The natural and human resources of the country ought to be respected, and proper environmental protocol has to be followed.
Yours faithfully,
Devanand Bhagwan
