The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an interactive workshop on Friday, in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region to enlighten small forest operators about the need to have an Environmental Authorisation.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) press release, this is a critical requirement for operating in the country’s forests and the first such workshop was held in Region Ten last December. Forest operators from villages across the region, including Indigenous communities were all part of the exercise. During the workshop, they were given an in-depth presentation which explained the Environmental Authorisation, why it is important to have one, where to apply for one and how to fill out the requisite forms, the release added.
Aside from the theoretical aspect of the session, they were also taken to a nearby sawmill for a first-hand view on how to protect themselves and the environment. The operators were very vocal and asked questions throughout the workshop, all to ensure that they fully understood what was required of them.