The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme has been extended for an additional three years, following a €25 million investment by the European Union (EU).
This is according to a press release from the local wildlife management project, which said that the main aim of the programme is to ensure a sustainable future for wildlife across the globe; while still supporting indigenous communities to maintain access to food in a safe and secure way.
Among the highlights of the project in Guyana the release said, is the development and implementation of the first inland fisheries co-management plan in 10 North Rupununi communities.
Meanwhile, it said that 21 communities in the South Rupununi have developed and implemented the Wapichan Wiizi Wildlife management plan, which functions as a general 10-year framework to manage water animals, terrestrial animals, and flying animals that are important for the Wapichan culture.
Hundreds of local people have been trained in wildlife management; supporting animals like turtles, anteaters, fish, and more the release said; while adding that three communities have engaged in turtle conservation and management activities along the Rupununi River.
This, the press statement said, has resulted in the collaboration of 26 communities working towards the implementation of a Regional Turtle management plan; noting that a turtle festival is organized in the Spring and also supports tourism in the region.
In excess of 2,000 children have been trained in environmental education in 12 communities from South Rupununi, the statement noted; even as it added that support for the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) has ensured the supply of more than 85,000 chicks and 300,000 kgs of chicken feed in the region; thus supporting local food security and reducing reliance on wildlife.
Chief Operating Officer of CIFOR-ICRAF, Robert Nasi, was quoted in the release as saying “We are thrilled the EU has decided to invest further in the Sustain-able Wildlife Management Programme as we have seen first-hand its hugely positive impact in countries like Guyana.
“Faced with immense challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change and the threat of zoonotic diseases, it has never been more important for local and Indigenous communities to build leadership capacity and knowledge in environmental education and conservation.
“Through the SWM Programme, we have worked together with 1,000s of local people in Guyana to put in place structures which will support them for generations to come. We are therefore excited to continue this important work”.
A joint initiative of biodiversity institute CIFOR-ICRAF, CIRAD, World Conservation Society and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); funded by the EU, the release said that the programme also aims to reduce the likelihood of zoonotic diseases.
This it said, “is a factor which has increased in importance since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as significant outbreaks of avian flu – while safeguarding the wild meat trade which is often a crucial source of both income and sustenance.”
It went on to say that as a leading research and development organization in trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes, CIFOR-ICRAF has led the implementation of the SWM Programme in Guyana and Zambia to date and is thrilled to confirm that the project will now continue to run from August 2023 to July 2026, expanding its work to include Cameroon.
According to the release, CIFOR-ICRAF hopes that, in light of the EU’s latest funding commitment, it can continue to grow the project’s positive impact through invaluable collaboration of local and Indigenous communities and in-country partners.
