The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) yesterday expressed concern about the number of requests it has been getting for access through the Iwokrama Forest to other areas, some of which are for illegal mining but disguised as “research” proposals.
In a statement, Iwokrama said that several North Rupununi Communities have also complained about this situation.
“These requests are against the background that the Forest has been faced with illegal mining since the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Centre is challenged with these illegal incursions. Iwokrama has also noted that some of these requests have been disguised as `research’ proposals from the same individuals”, the statement said.
The Centre’s Management Team and Board reminded that 1) there will be no access permitted through the Iwokrama Forest to any mining or forestry lands and 2) Absolutely no mining is allowed in the Iwokrama Reserve 3) Logging, hunting and fishing are all prohibited in the Iwokrama Forest unless permission is granted by Iwokrama’s management.
Furthermore, the Centre warned that it has zero tolerance for these illegal activities as they are disruptive and threaten the integrity of the forest and its international certification. Any unauthorized persons found in the Iwokrama Forest will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, it warned. The Centre thanked the NRDDB (its community partners) and other stakeholders for their support in this matter. The Centre said it is especially grateful to the Ministry of Natural Resources and their agencies, and the Guyana Police Force for their support in enforcing the provisions of the Iwokrama Act.
The IIC was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest.
