Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698073945984.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENT (2006-2010) SECOND PERIODIC REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SECTORAL COMMITTEE I ON NATURAL RESOURCES RESOLUTION NO.

19 OF 2003 29TH JULY, 2010 I I I I I I L I I I -~ II II , I I I @ CONTE T PAGE NO.
DECLARATION BACKGROUND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ELECTION OF CHAIR AND DEPUTY CHAIR MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE MANDATE OF THE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE' S AREAS OF RESPON IBILITY APPROACH/MODE OF OPERATION INFORMATION REQUESTED AND RECEIVED HEARINGS/PRESENTATIONS PROGRAMME OF VISITS ISSUES/CONSTRAINTS/PROBLEMS RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDICES 1 2 2-4 4 5-6 6 6 7 7 8 9 - 15 15 16 17 I I I I ~ I I l I I I I I I I .
I I I DECLARATION This is the Second Periodic Report to the ational Assembly on the status of the work of the atural Resources, pursuant to the requirements of Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on paragraph 4 (ix) of Resolution 19 passed by the National Assembly on 15th May, 2003.

1 I I I t BACKGROUND The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources (PSCNR) 1.
The Parliamentary Sectoral Commi nee on Natural Resources (P CNR) is one of four ( 4) Sectoral Commi ttee of the National Assembly that was established in 2003 in accordance with the provisions of Resolution No.

19 dated 15th May, 2003 of the National Assembly of the Eight Parliament of Guyana.

(See Appendix I ).

The Reso lution gives effect to the provisions of Article 119 (B) of the Constitution of 2.
Guyana which states that: (i) There shall be parliamentary sectoral committees established by the National Assembly with responsibi lity for the scrutiny of al l areas of Government policy and administration including- 1.

2.

3.

4.

Natural Resources; Economic Services Social Services Foreign Relations (ii) · The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of each Parliamentary Sectoral Committee shall be elected from the opposite sides of the National Assembly.
Standing Order 86 specifically provides for the establishment of the Parliamentary 3.

Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources.

MEMBERSIDP OF THE COMMITTEE During the period December 2 15 \ 2006 to April 20 10, the membership of the 4 .

Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services constituted the following seven permanent Members and two Alternate Members who were nominated by the Committee of Selection on December 14 2006.
These Members (with the exception of one) retained their membership within the 5.

Committee throughout the period under rev iew.

2 Members nominated on 14'11 December, 2006 Members of th e People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Mr. Donald Ramo tar.

M. P Mr. Odinga Lumumba.


M.P Mr. eendkuma r. M .P Mr. Parmanand P. Persaud, J.P., M .P Mr. Steve N invalle, M .P (Alternate) Members of the People's National Congress Reform- 1 Guvana (PNC R-1 G) Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P ., Chief Whip (Alternate) Mr. Keith cott, M .P Mr. Mervyn Will.
iams, M.P Member of the A lliance for Change (AFC) Mr. David Patterson, M.P Change in Membership On T hursday, 9'11 April , 2009 the Committee of Selecti on met and made the following 6. changes to the membershi p of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natura l Resources: Mem bers of the People's Progress Party-(PPP/C) Mr. Donald Ramotar, M.P., had resigned from the Committee.

Mr. Steve N invalle, M. P., became a Substantive Member.
Dr. Y ishwa D.B Mahadeo, M .P., had replaced Mr. Ramotar and is now an Alternate Member.

Member of the People's National Congress/Reform- ] G uvana (PNCR-1 G) Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P., became a Substantive Member Mr. Keith Scott, M.P., an A lternate Member.

7.

During the period of March 2009, the Chairmanship of the Committee was also alternated wi th the effect of bestowing the C hai rmanship to the Opposition.

Mr. Mervyn Willi ams.

M.P .. was elected as Chai rman on 19'11 March.

2009.
2009.

At the 9'11 Meeting of the Comm ittee held o n T hursday.

16111 Apri l, 2009, Mr. Mervy n Wi lliams M.P.

demitted the Chair.

Thereafter.

Mr. E. Lance Carberry M.P ., was e lected Cha irman of the Committee.

3 I I I I "'f" I I J. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I In addition, on Thursday.
8111 April , 20 10 the Committee of election met and made the 8. following changes to the membership of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee: Members of the People's Nationa l Congress (PNCR-lG) Mr. Aubrey C. orton, M.P.

became a Substantive Member who replaced Mr. Mervyn Williams.

M.P.

Mrs. Judith David-Blair, M.P.

became an Alternate Member who replaced Mr. Keith Scott.

M.P.
M.P.

The current membe rship of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources 9. remains as follows: Members of the People's Progressive Party/Civic-(PPP/C) Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P .

Mr. Neendkumar, M .P.

Mr. Permanand Persaud, M.P.

Mr. Steve Ninval le, M.P.

Dr. Vishwa D .B.

Mahadeo, M.P.

(Alternate) Members of the People's Nati~na l Congress Reform 1-Guyana- (PNC/R 1-G) Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P.

, Chief Whip Mr. Aubrey Norton, M.P.


(Substantive) Mr. Judith David-Blair, M.P (Alternate) Member of the Allia nce for Change- (AFC) Mr. David Patterson, M.P.

ELECTIO OF CHAIRPERSON AND DEPUTY CHAIRPER 0 At its first meeting held on 2 151 December, 2006, the Committee e lected Mr. Odinga 10.

Lumumba, M.P.

, and Mr. Mervyn Williams M.P.

, as the C hairperson and the Deputy Chairperson, respectively.

At the elections held on 91 11.


Lumurnba were elected Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively, of the Committee.

h March, 2009, Mr. Mervyn Willian1s and Mr. Odinga On 16th April, 2009, Mr. M ervyn Williams, M.P., demitted the Chair.

Thereafter, Mr. E. 12.

Lance Carberry, M.P.

, was elected Chairperson of the Committee.

4 MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE I 3.

This Committee held nineteen (I 9) Meetings during the period December.

2006 and April.

20 10 of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.
The Comminee Members of the P C R agreed to meet e ery Thursday at I O:OOam fo r at least 2 hours.

Duri ng 2008, no meeti ngs of the Commi ttee were convened for various reasons I 4. expressed.

Statutory Meeting Meetings l s1 Meeting 2"a Meeti ng 3ra Meeting 4'" Meeting 5tn Meeting 61n Meeting t n Meeting 8tn Meeting gtn Meeting !Olll Meeting l l lll Meeting 12tn Meeting 13111 Meeting 14t" Meeting 15m Meeting 16m Meeting Date of Meetings 21st December, 2006 15tn March.

2007 .
2007 .

26ll1 April, 2007 24t" May, 2007 28t" June, 2007 1210 July.

2007 I gtn March, 2009 2"0 April, 2009 16tn April, 2009 I 4tn May, 2009 28'" May, 2009 4111 June 2009 , I I'" June, 2009 25m June, 2009 2"a Jul y, 2009 29m July,2009 5 I I I I "( th Meeting 18th Meeting 19th Meeting 4th November.

2009 27th January.

2010 29th April.


2010 (See Appendi x 2 for chedule of Meetings and Attendance Record) FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE The work of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on 15. atural Resources, during the reporting period, was in consonance with its mandate and the li st of function s stipulated in Resolution No.

19 of 15th May, 2003.

Using the agencie under the Committee's purview, the work programme defined the 16. areas of focus for the Committee with the timeframe over the coming years.
Th.is document was adopted by the Committee and lays the framework for the Comm ittee' s work in the inth Parliament.

There was an understanding that some flexibility would be exercised in order to allow the Committee to examine matters of urgent interest.

MANDATE 17.
MANDATE 17.

The Mandate of the Committee was derived from Paragraph 3 of Resolution No.l9 which emphasized that in the conduct of its scrutinizing function , the sectoral committees were empowered to "examine all policies and administration for each sector to determine whether the execution of government policy is in consonance with the principles of good governance and in the best interest of the people of Guyana".
ln order to discharge its functi ons, the Committee was empowered to scruti ni ze all areas 18. and programmes within its mandate, as well as to write Ministers of Government and all other relevant public officials to provide information, or answer questions and give e idence.

19.

It is should be noted that the work progranune focused the Committee's attention on Government's policies, justification and performance in the given areas of responsibilities.
(See Appendix 3) 6 OMMITTEE' AREA OF RE POJ\J IBILITY The Parliamentary 20. re pon ibility for the oversight of the following sectors.

sub-sectors and activitie : ectoral Committee o n 1'-:atural Re ource ha been assigned MINISTRY Mini stry Communications of Public Work and RESPONSIB ILITY 1.

Bauxite Industry 2.

Geological ur ey 3.

Geology and Mines Mini stry of Housing and Water Agriculture, Fisheries.

Other Crops and Livestock Office of the President I.
Acquisition and Beneficial occupation of 111 Georgetown.

non-beneficial Lands ew Amsterdam.

other Town 2.

Water Resources 1.

Acquisition/Transferral/Occupa ti on of Lands not Bene ficially occupied 111 Georgetown, New Amsterdam and other Towns 2.

Hydrometeorology 3.

Forestry atural Re ource / Environment I.

2.

Forestry and Forest Policy 3.

National Parks 4.

Wild Life 5.

Land Use 6.

Thermal and Hydro Power APPROACH/MODE OF OPERATIO N 2 1.
The Parliamentary ectoral Committee o n Natural Resources, during the period under review, utilized a consen us approach to optimize its scrutiny of government policy and admi nistration withjn the frame- work provided by its mandate.

(P C R) invited various Ministers and Public Official 22.

To faci litate its oversight functions.

the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natura l Resource to make presentati o ns on outstanding and priority issues identified by the Comminee.
Relevant supporting report and documents were.

in some instances, requested prior to hearing .

The con ening of their appearance befo re the Committee with arious enti ties provided the Committee the opportunit to address urgent issues and de elopments within the sectors.

7 I I I I ....

 The Committee focused primaril y on Climate Change and the Mining and Energy tatus of the lwokrama Rainforest Programme and the 23.

Sectors.
Sectors.

the Goals, Objective and Agriculture Sector.

In order to facili tate its work and to garner a substantial understand ing of the various 24. issues.

the Committee requested documents and reports for the purpose of acquiring additional information as was required.

Remi nders were sent to those institutions that did not respond promptly.

(See Appendi x 4 for Status Report) INFORMATION REQUESTED A D RECEIVED 25.
In keeping with its mandate, the Committee requested information from the agencies being scrutinized and/or from any other entity that is in possession of information which would have assisted the Committee to expedite its work.
Documents requested and received ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r )> )> )> Guyana goes for Hydropower capped at 7.5 us cents/ K Wh Press Release- Interim License issued to Hydro Electric Power Developers Consultants studying economics of Electricity generation from Amelia Change of site granted to Enman for feasibility studies of Hyo/o Electro Project Listing of Petroleum prospecting licenses in Guyana wi th attached maps Potential Hydro power sites in Guyana lwokrama International Centre, Projects, Publications and Research (Current Proj ects) Requirements for Environmental Management in small and med ium scale Gold and Diamond Mining in Guyana Preliminary report on fli ght over mining areas on May 301 Report on Cuyuni field visit- November 9th to December 151 Environmental Monitoring and water quali ty report, North West District, 2 151 March to 51 Names of permittees and applicants for radi oactive minerals.
Climate change: An Overview Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention on Biological Diversity United Nations Framework Conventi on on Climate Change Re: Information on BOSAI AND BCGI (Outstanding Information) Slides of power point presentation on Forestry Policies by Guyana Forestry Commission h Apri l 2006; reported dated June 2006 \ 2006 h 2005 8 HEARINGS/ ORAL PRESENTATION, 26.

The Committee invited the foll owing Offici als and Ministers.
(i) Presentation by Hon.

Prime Minister The Hon.

Prime Minister and Advisors appeared before the Committee at it 2"d 26.

Meeting held on the t s•h March, 2007, a nd made a presentation on " An update on Activities of Departments/Agencies under the Prime Mini ter's Portfolio".
Team of Advi ors: Mr. William Woolford - Commi ss ioner (ag) of Guyana, Geology and Mines Commi ssion M s Gita Raghubir Director of Telecommunications M s Max ine Alexander este r - Principal Project Co-ordinator, UEA Sectors (a) Mining-Baux ite (b) (c) (d) Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Energy Sector-Guyana Energy Agency and Guyana Power and Li ght Te lecommunication Is ues Discu ed (a) Mining • Social contact o f miners and other coastlanders with the res idents in the hinterland communities • Prohibited drugs, crime and prostitution in the hinterland areas (b) Energy ector • Altem ati e E nergy- Hydro Power • Bi o fuel • Wind Power (c) Telecommunications • Break ing the monopoly of GT &T-movi ng towards a more o pen and com peti ti ve market ued rai ed by the Committee 27.
(a) The Committee sought clarification on various issues including the following: Whether there is government policy or steps that are taken to alleviate identified in the presentation (child labour.
influx of Brazilian prostitutes, high rise in HIV/AlD as a result of prostitution); increase in prostitution attributed to the social ills the (b) With respect to expansion mining in the Paranapanema Company in Tasawini, are there any documents/ records of their performance/ outputs that could be studied as a prelude of what was going to happen; (c) (d) (e) How the Government proposed to encourage investors such as Gold Stone, etcetera, in interacting with other hinterland communities or general communities that come under the local government structure; The exploration for oi l in the Pomeroon; and The effects on inhabitants in given communities where hydro products could be developed.
(ii) Presentation by Mr. William Woolford and M Karen Liva n 28.

Mr. William Woolford and Ms Karen Livan appeared before the Committee at its 51 h Meeting held on 28'h June, 2007 and made a presentation on the following: " The policy of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and how it i organized for the di charge of its responsibilities to large, medium and small scaled operator .''
Delegation: Mr. William Woolford -Commissioner (ag) Ms Karen Li van -Environmental Manager Issues discussed (a) Agreements on scale of operations (b) Types of exploration to be conducted in Guyana (c) Amerindian land matters (d) Environment (e) Features of fiscal regimes (f) Challenges involved regarding the policy of the Gold Board (g) Establishing of State Mining reserves (h) Petroleum Policy 10 (i) Legislation that governed the Commission can be found in the Mining Act 1989 which addressed the fo llowing: • Rights in minerals • Prospect ing license • Export of radioactive mineral s and • afety of workers Issued raised by the C ommittee • The mandate of the environmental division; • How were sanctions being imposed on defaulters?
• What was the ex isting relationship between the Commi ssion and the Envi ronmental Protection Agency?

• T he effects of mining in the Barima Ri ver area; • The infl ux of Brazi lian miners in the mining community.

(iii) Presentation by Mr. David ingh and team 29.

Mr. David Singh and team appeared before the Committee on the 61 on l2 1 Status of the lwokrama Rainforest Programme."
h July, 2007 and made the following presentation on "The Goal , Objective and h Meeting, held Delegation included: Mr. David Singh Mr. Dane Gobin Dr. Raquel Thomas -Director Gene ra l -Director, Finance and Operation -Director, Resources Management and Training Issues Discussed (a) (b) (c) lwokrama ' s Programme legislatively existed since 1996 by virtue of an Act of Parliamen t and was a donor dependent scientific institution It serves a dual purpose: • • Conservation and sustainable use Non-commercia l and commercial The programme worked in collaboration with the Commonwealth.
Dr. Singh highlighted its achie ements over the year and stated that the work of Iwokrama needs more recognition.
11 Issues raised by the Committee • Fai lure of the International Community to deliver its commitment to the Programme in terms of its development; • The availabi li ty of scientific work of lwokrama to the rest of the region/world; • Relationship with University of Guyana and University of the West Indies regarding research/ experiments· • The need for domestic legislations to protect Guyana's interests; • Relationship with neighbouring countries; • Existing plan with regards to logging; • The sustainability of the Programme; and • There was need for the programme to return to its original intent.
Responses from the Presenter and Team • 50% of the area of the centre was to be used for sustainable forestry of commercial arrangements.

• The Programme was involved in on-going collaborations with the University of Guyana • and the University of the West Indies.

lwokrama would be the regional focal point through a research program to be funded by the European Union.

• There was no exportation of logs from Iwokrama.

(iv) Presentation by the Hon.

Prime Minister The Hon.


Prime Minister and team appeared before the Committee at a subsequent h July, 2009 and made a presentation on "Issues pertaining to the 30.

Meeting held on 291 Energy and Mining Sector."

Delegation comprised of: Hon.

Samuel A.A. Hinds, M.P.

, Prime Mini ster and Minister of Public Works and Communication Mr. William Woolford Mr. Winston Brassington - Commissioner, GGMC (ag.)
Head, PU/NICIC, and Member of the Boards of Mr. Reginald Webster Mr. Derek Babb Mr. Kampta Persaud Mr. Wyclife Abrams Mr. Anatram Balram Mr. Christopher Lynch Directors ofBCGI and BOSAI Chairman, GPL Chairman GGMC Board Manager, Mines Division, GGMC Manager (ag.)

Geology Division GGMC Economist General Manager (ag.)

Guyana Gold Board Senior Petroleum Engineer 12 Mr. Mahendra Sham1a Mr. Delroy O ' Neal Ms. Sandra Britton CEO (ag.).

Guyana Energy Agency Economist (ag.)

Head, E & ESD.
Head, E & ESD.

Guyana Energy Agency Issues Discussed (a) Mining Development and the Bauxite Industry • The decrease in prices of aluminum metal and its impact on the global alum inum industry, parti cularly bauxite and BOSAI • The bauxite products produced by BOSAI • Adequacy of stripping leads at Linden • The type of equipment being used for bauxite production by BOSAJ (b) Petroleum • Status of the petroleum industry: notabl y, those areas that were licensed and the progress thus far.
• Issues Raised by the Committee Following the presentation made by the Hon.

Prime Min ister and hi s team , the 3 1.

Committee sought clarification on various issues including the following: Whether the reduction in the amount of Bauxite produced in 2009, resulted from problems with the stripping lead or the market?
The area in which BOSAI concentrated its sales; The aspect of mining development in Montgomery Mines; The technology and equipment used for gold mining; The number of calcining ki lns used by BOSAI; Whether the reduction in gold mining had resulted from smuggling?

The issue of sustainable mining; and 13 I I I I T' I I J I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l .

I I I j I I I I I I The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission 's policy guidelines governing social issues that resulted from mining.
It should be noted that the presentation by Mr. Mahendra Sharma CEO (ag.)

and his 27. team from the Guyana Energy Agency was deferred to a subsequent Meeting due to time constraints.

Documents/Information Submitted at Hearing No documents or other information were subm itted at the hearing.

However, the team 32. promised to submit documentation to the Committee, which were subsequently submitted.

(v) Presentation by Hon.


Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture Mr. James Singh, Commissioner of Forests, and representatives the Guyana Forestry Commission from James Singh, 33 .
Mr. Robert Persaud, Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Mr. Commissioner of Forests appeared before the Committee along with a team from the Guyana Forestry Commission, on the 18th Meeting held on 27th January, 20 10 and made a presentation on " The existing policy/policies relating to the functioning of the Guyana Forestry Commission."

Delegation comprised of: Hon.

Robert M. Persaud , M.P.


, Mr. James Singh Mr. Jagdesh Singh Mr. Gavin Agard Mr. Kenny David Mr. Godfrey Marshal l Mr. Derrick Cummings Mr. Tracy Archibald Mrs. Bhaleka Seulall Minister of Agricu lture Commissioner of Forests Deputy Commissioner of Forests Deputy Commissioner of Forests (a. g) Asst.
Commissioner of Forests Director, Forestry Training Centre Inc Executive Director FTDMC Corporate Secretary Chief Hydro met Officer Issues Discussed Policies and programmes of the Guyana Forestry Commission Forest Inventory-compliance with sustainable forest management Forest Recovery The REDO Programme The Readiness Plan and Implications for Forestry Sector 14 I sued raised by the Committee T he apparent discordance between the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Guyana Geo logy and Mines Commission (GGMC); The requirement of l 00% post harvesting audit; The policy/position on increasing value add ed forestry based programmes: and Monitoring of the harvesting and replanting of manicole palm .
It should be noted that the presentation by the representat ives from the Hydromet Office 34. was deferred to a subsequent meeting as a result of time constrai nts.

Documents/Information Submitted at Hearing 35.

No documents or other infom1ati on was later submitted at the hearing.

However, the team submitted a written copy of the presentation along with a copy of the ir current Organizational C han, to the Committee , as promised.
.VISITS BY TH E PARLIAMENTARY SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES 36.

The PSCNR agreed to commence a programme of visits to agencies di stricts, and activiti es which fall within its purvi ew.

However, durin g the First Session of the N inth Parliament the Committee made only one visit to the Jwok.rama Rainforest Programme.
During the period 141 h -1 6th June, 2009, the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources undertook the following activ iti es: (i) (ii) (iii) Bina Hill Institute at A nnai - the Committee met with Dr. T homas and members of the North Rupunni District Development Board (NRDDB); The Iwok.rama International Centre for Conservation; and The Amerindian village at Fairview.

Issues Discussed: ;;... Education )>.- Usage of the River ;..

Harvesting of Fish ;....


Illegal Mining ).- Amendment (s) to the Amerindian Act ).- Radio Tran smission :r Vill age use area :;;...

Buffer zone 15 I I I I T" I I J I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,T I I L I I I I I I I I I I ).- Wilderness ).- Sustainable forest util ization area , Farming area ).- Living area , Resources avai lable etc.

(See Appendix 5 for Report on the visit to Iwokrama) 11.
ISSUES/CONSTRAINTS/PROBLEMS Corporation and responses from Officials Difficulties were encountered as it relates to the summoning of some agencies to appear 37. before the Committee to provide oral evidence.

The agencies were unable to meet with the Committee for various reasons expressed.
The work of the Committee would have been more effective had we received responses from the following agencies/ Ministries: (i) Guyana Forestry Commission (ii) Hydromet Department (iii) Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics (iv) Ministry of Agriculture 16 RECOMMENDATION The Committee agreed that the Areas of crutiny in Appendix IV of the Standing Orders should be amended to include new areas of responsibiliti es that have been assigned to Ministries for which the Committee is responsible.
The Committee recommended the fo llowi ng changes to be considered by the Standing Orders Comminee.

M inistry Areas of Scrutiny Proposed Amendments Ministry of Public Works and Communication s I. Baux ite Industry Unaltered 2.

Geological Surveys Deletion of Geological Surveys.

Insertion of new area "Energy".

.., .

).

Geology and Mines Unaltered Acquisition & Beneficial occupation of non- benefici al occupied Lands in Georgetown, New Amsterdam , other Towns.
Water Resources Insertion of new area "Roads and Harbours" .

Reword the area to read '·Housing Policy".

Insertion of the word "potable .. before the word "water".

Ministry of Housing and Water Committees Division Parliament Office Public Buildings Brickdam Georgetown 28th july, 2010 17 I I I I .,...

 ~ ·-.

.

EIGHT PARLIAMENT OF GUY ANA SECOND SESSION (2002-2003) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RESO LUTION NO.
19 WHEREAS Article 119 B of the Constitution provides: There shall be parliamentary sectoral committees established by the National Assembly with responsibility for the scrutiny of all areas of Government policy and administration including (I) natural resources (ii) economic services (iii) foreign relations and (iv) social services RESOLVED, 1.

The Sectoral Committees shall consist of seven (7) members, four ( 4) representing the Government and three (3) representing the Opposition.
The Government and Opposition are entitled to elect one alternate member each for each Sectoral Committee.

J I ,, ... _ .. ...

I I I I • I I L I I I I I I I I .

I .

- T I ' .

- 2 .

The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of each sectoral committee shall be elected frolp opposite sides of the National Assembly and would alternate annually I with two (2) Sectoral Committees each .to be chaired by the Government and Opposition respectively.

.· 3.
.· 3.

The committees shall, in the discharge of their scrutinising role, examine all policies and administration, for each sector, to determine whether the execution of government policy is in consonance with the principles of good governance and in the best interest of all the people of Guyana.

4 .
4 .

The committees shall have the authority to: Determine areas of government activity for scrutiny or specific examination; u Request the Minister assigned responsibility for the sector to submit written or oral information, including government documents and records about any specific area of government policy and administration; 111 Review existing legislation on government policy and administration for any of the sectors; I I I I I {..

I I J I I I I I I I I I I :'' -.

....... 1.
I l I I I j I I I I I I tv Summon persons to give evidence, scrutinise government documents, papers and records; v Visit any government activity or project in Guyana as agreed and arranged by the Committee; VI In the discharge of their mandate, utilise the services of experts, specialists and other sources of advice as they determine; vii Establish a timeable for the conduct of their work; 1 .. Vlll Make recommendations to the National Assembly on legislati,on or any other action to be taken on matters falling within their purview; JX Submit periodic reports to the National Assembly on their work; and X Invite comments, from the Minister assigned responsibility for the sector on their recommendations or reports.
5.

The National Assembly, notwithstanding the current work programme of any sectoral committee, may request the committee to give prompt attention to a particular aspect of the policy or administration of the government for a sector 6.

The proviliona f:IStancfina Onla' No.

70A shall apply to the SectonJ AND PURl lUll Rr.SOLVID, 1.

Committee iD tbe mii+Mw Jet aut ia Schedule 1.

{Puled bJ ttl.

Nadoaal Aaeaably oa 1~ Mq.


1003) ···~--... a ... eldlelfadoul Allembf7 I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I I - --- ----- ·· - I I I I - I l I I I I I I I I I NATURAL RESOURCES COMMIITEE ATTENDANCE RECORD (2006 - 2008) NAMES Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P.

Mr. Mervyn Williams, M.P.

Mr. Donald Ramotar, M.P.

Mr. Neendkumar, M.P.

Mr. Parmanand P. Persaud, J.P., M.P.

Mr. Steve NinvalJe, M P. Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

Mr. Lance Carberry, M.P.

Mr. David Patterson, M.P.

Dec. 21st Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.


Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

March 15th Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

April 26th Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Ex.

Ex.

May 24tb Pr.

Abs.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

Abs.

Abs.

June 28tb .

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Pr.

July 12tn Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.


EL - Present Absent Excused Committees Division Parliament Office Public Buildings Georgetown I I I I I I l I I I 'r I I I PARLIAMENTARY SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES ATTENDANCE RECORD (2009-2010) July June NAMES Mr. Lance Carberry, M.P.

Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P.

Mr. Neendkumar, M.P.

Mr. Parmanand P. Persaud, J.P., M.P.

Mr. Steve Ninvalle, M.P.

Dr. Vishwa D.B.

Mahadeo, M.P.

Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, M.P.

Mrs. Judith David - Blair, M.P.


Mr. Mervyn Williams, M.P.

Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

Mr. David Patterson, M.P.

Mr. Donald Ramotar, M.P.

- - March 19th Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

- - - Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

-- - - - - - - April May 28tn Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

- - 14th 2"0 16tll Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Ex.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

- Ex.

Pr.

- - - - - - Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

- - ~X.__ - - - - - 410 Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

- - Pr.


Pr.

Pr.

- June 11th 25'" 2"0 Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

- - - - - - Ex.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

- - - - - -- - - ~-- - - - ----- 291b Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

- - Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

- Nov. 4to Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

- - Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

- Jan. April 29th 21'" Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

- Abs.

- Pr.

Pr.

- Pr.

- Abs.

Abs.


- - - - --- --- - - - ·- - 17th Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

- - Abs.

- - - - 24th Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

- - Pr.

- July 28th 14th Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

Abs.

Abs.

Pr.

Pr.

- - - - Ex.

Abs.

- - - - - - - - - -- - --- - 1st Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Pr.

Ex.

Pr.

Pr.

- - Pr.

- - - · - Pr.

Abs.

Ex.


- Present Absent Excused Committees Divisioll Parliame11t Office Public Buildings Georgetown * Mr. Mervyn Williams, M.P.

and Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

resigned as members of the Committee with effect from 81 b April, 2010 and were replaced by Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, M.P.

and Mrs. Judith David- Blair, M.P.


I I I I - I I l I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I - - - - - - --,(-- _,_ -- Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources Proposed Work Programme for Period April - August 2009 Responsibility Areas of interest Activities Scrutiny o f all areas of Government's Policy Governm ent Policy and and program for administration in relation Climate Change to ·'Natural Resource."

Proposed time Fra me April - August 2009 July June August - - - - R emarks I.
Rain Forest conservation and Developme nt To arrange visit by Committee Members to lwokrama lntern·ational Forest as a fo llow - up to previous presentation t4'h-l6th Visit completed.
--- --·--- Presentation completed Arrangements to be finalised Presentation/discussion by team fi·om Guyana Forestry Comm ission - Mr. James Singh & Officials Presentation by Mr. Navin Chandarpal, Presidential Ad visor on Science, technology and Environme nt/Sustainable Development and M r. Andrew Bishop Presidential Advisor on Land and Environment Prese ntation by Dr. lndmjeet Ramdas Presentation by Mr. Shyam Nok1a and Team from Hydromet Department 2.

Forestry 3.

Sustainable Developme nt 4.


The Environm ental Protection Agency and its operations 5.

Hydromet/Cii mate C hange a nd Climate Monitoring ENERGY/ MIN ING 6.

Government's present Presentation by the Hon.

Prime Minister and policy a nd programs wrt team of relevant officials: Presenta tion completed - - Renewable energies - Mining - - GUYSUCO/ Agriculture > GGMC - - - · -- - ·- - * \VcdnC'sd ays a rc rcsc r\'cd fo r present a tions.
- - - - - - ~ - - - ,._.. - - - - - - Responsibi lity Areas of interest Activities P roposed time Frame April - August 2009 June Julv Aueust Remarks Scrutiny of all areas of Government Pol icy and administration in relation to "Natural Resource:· - - - Petroleum industry Bauxite Energy Development - GGMC - GGMC } - Guyana Energy Association *Based on presentation Committee would detem1ine whether to visit BOSA I 7.

Infrastructure Presentation by the Hon.

Minister of Agricu lt ure and the Hon.


Minister ofTransport and Hydraulics 8.

Amerindian areas affected by environmental hazards 9.

Fisheries Depart ment: Policies and programmes on sustainable fisheries Arrange visit to identified Amerindian community/ies to assess the impact of mining and forestry on the eommunity/ies.

Presentation by Team from Ministry of Agriculture Arrangements to be finalized .

Letter of invitation sent to l ion.


Minister of Agriculture and Mini ster ofTran ~ port and llydraulics Mr. Persaud to identify spec ific Amerindian community Committees Division to write Min ister of Agriculture Commilfees Dit·ision Parliamenl Q!Jice Public !Juildin[!.s Brick dam George/own.

/1 111 June.

20 I 0 I I I I I I l I I I j I I I' I I I - - - - - - - .
( -· - - ~ - - -__.. - - - - STATUS REPORT OF THE PARLIAM ENTARY SECTORAL COMMITTTEE ON NATU RAL RESOU RCES At the tenth meeting of the Committee held on Thursdayl41 b May2009 tbe Members agreed on the following Work Programme.

l{esponsibili ty A reas of In terest Implem entation of Work Programme Remarks Scrutiny of all areas of Government Policy and Administration in Government's Policy a nd J>rogram for C limate C hange Resources" and Development relation to "Natural II.
Rain Forest Conservation I To arrange visit to Jwokrarna International I The Committee visited the lwokrarna Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development as a follow-up to a previous presentation International Centre for Ra in Forest Conservation and Development.

A report was prepared on the above to mentioned visit and circulated Members o f the Comm ittee.

2.

Forestry Presentation/Discussion by from Guyana Forestry Comm ission-Mr. James Singh and Offi cials team from The Hon.
Minister of Agriculture, Commissioner James Singh and the the Guyana Forestry Team Commission appeared before the Committee on Wednesday, 271 h January, 20 10.

- - - .. .. ~-- -\ -- - )o-- - - --- - I I 3.

Sustainable Development I Presentation by Mr. Navin Chandarpal.

The Committee·s Clerk \HOtc on Advisor Presidential Technology and Environment/Sustainable Development and Mr. Andrew Bishop Development.

Presidential Advisor Development Land and on the Science.
Head of the Presidenti al Secretariat requesting presenters for Sustainable 4.

The Environmental Protection Agency and its operation Presentation by lndarjeet Ramdas.

Executive Director of the Environmental Protecti on Agency 5.

Hyd romet/Ciimate Change and Climate Monitoring ENERGY/MIN ING Presentation by Mr. Shyam Nokta, Chairman ofNati onal Climate Change Committee and Team from llydromet Department 6.

Government· s present policy and programs wrt Presentation by the Hon.
Prime Minister and Team of relevant Officials: -Mi ning -Petroleum Industry -GGMC -GGMC The Committee's Clerk \\Tote the llead of the Presidential Secretariat for Climate requesting presenters Change and the operation of the Environmental Protecti on Agency.

The Committee's Clerk also wrote the lion.

Mini ster of Agricu lture requesting representati ves from the llydromct Department to present on Climate Monitoring.

The li on.
The li on.

Prime Minister and Team made their presentations at the 16th Meeting of the Committee he ld on Thursday.

29th .Jul y.

2009.

Mr. William Woolford.

Comm issioner GGMC (Ag) appean.

:d before the Committee and presented on the Min ing Sector in Guyana.

Followi ng hi s presentation.

Mr. Woolford submitted a Report on the Mini ng Sector.

The Report was circulated to Members of the Comm ittee.

- - - - - - - ..., - - - - - --.. ~ --... -- ,_ - .. _ ,.._.
~" - - - -Baux ite -Energy Development -Guyana Energy Agency The Committee received Outstanding Information on the Operation of the Bauxite Companies BOSAI and RUSALfrom Mr. Winston Brassington, Head PU/N ICIC and Member of the Boards of Directors of BOSAJ and RUSAL on the 201 h May, 201 0. i The Committees Division wrote the Hon.

Prime Min ister requesting representa ti ves from the Guyana Energy Agency to appear before the Committee.
Representati ves from the Guyana Energy Agency appeared before the Committee, along with the Hon.

Prime Minister, on Thursday, 291 Development.

However, they were unable to present due to time constraints.

Thereafter, the Committee agreed that their presentation should be deferred to another meeting.

h July, 2009, to present on Energy -Renewable energies -GUYSUCO/Agriculture Outstanding 3 - - - .. .

_.. .. - ---- \ - ''lor .. -- ----- - 7.


Infrastructure (Drainage and Sea Defence) Presentation by the Han.

Minister of Agriculture and the Han.

Min ister of Transport and Hydraulics Letters were sent to the two Ministers inviting them to appear before the Committee at a mutuall y conveni ent date.

8.
8.

Amerindian areas affected by Environmental hazards Arrange vi sit to identified Amerindian communities to assess the impact of mining and forestry on the communities The Committee to determine the specific communities to be visited.

9.

Fisheries Department: Policies and Programmes on sustainabl e fi sheri es Presentation by Team from Mini stry o f Agriculture Outstanding Committees Division Parliament Office Public Buildings Brickdam Georgetown 111 h June.
2010 4 I I I I I I ,,_ I I I • I I I I I I REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SECTORAL COMM ITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES VISIT TO T HE lWOKRAMA l NTERNATION L CENTRE FOR RAINFOREST CONSERVATION AN D DEVELOPMENT 11 I 11 11 11 IJ ll IJ ll 11 jJ 11 jJ aJ 11 ll aJ THE PAI~LIA~IE~T.-\RY ECTORAL COM\IITTEE ON ~AT U RAL RESOURCES (PSC~R) VtSITED THE IWOKRAMA I~TERNATION .\L CENTRE FOR RAIN FOREST CO~ ERVATIO~ AND DEVELOP:\'IENT 1.0.
Introduction During the peri od, 141 h - 16th J une 2009, a delegatio n, consisting of Membe rs o f the Parliamentary Sectoral C o mmittee o n Natural Resources and suppo rt staff from the Committees Division of the Parliament O ffice, vis ited the Bina H ill Institute at A nnai, the lwo krama Internatio nal C entre and the Amerindian village at Fairview .

1.1.

The Delegation T he members o f the delegatio n were : 1.1.1.
Members of the Committee M r. Lance Carberry, M .P., C hairman Mr. Neil Kumar, M.P., Dr. Vishwa D.B.

Mahadeo, M .P.

(Alternate) M r. Parmanand P. Persaud M. P. M r. Keith Scott, M.P.

(A lternate) Mr. David Patterson, M.P.

1.1.2.

C ommittees Division S taff M r. Ylichael M unroe, ( Research & Documentatio n Office r ag) Ms. De lio n Adams, (Assistant C lerk o f Committees) 1.2.
Purpose of the Visit The purpose o f the visit was to info rm mem bers o f the Commi ttee of current deve lo pments, \\ ith regard to the activiti es o f the hvo krama International Rain Fo rest Programme and its re la tionshi p \vith the .

o rth Rupununi Ame rind ian communities, such as Surama and Fa irview.

11 ~ I!

.]

~ r I ll .~ l l al I .~ 2.0.

The Vis it 2.1.

Saturday 1-4 June 2009: The: dekgation dc:paned the Ogle .·\ c.:rodrome, on Saturday 1-t June 2009. at !O:JO Ius.
arriving at the .-\ nnai ai rstrip in Rc:gion :--Jo.

9 (Rupununi) at 12:35 hrs.

On urri val, the delegatio n was received by Dr. Raqud Thomas.

Director, Reso urce Management and Training o f the lwultrama International Cc.

:ntre, who had arranged fo r the delegation to have lunch at the Rockview Reso rt .

2.2 .

.

\leeting with the ~orth Rupununi District Development Board: After lunch.
Dr. Thomas invited the delegation to meet with the Members of the North Rupunni District Development Board (• RDDB) at the Bina Hill Institute to ascertain the programme of ac ti vities bei ng undertaken by the Board and the vari ous communities in the di strict.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Carberry, introduced the members of the Committee and explainc:d the purpose of the visi t. :\fr.
ydney llicock, Chairman of RDDB, chai red the mec:ting and introduced the members of the Board who were presc:nt: :'vir.

fichael \V illiams, Secretary u f~RDDB and CJptain o f r\nnai: :VIr Vincent Henry, Coordinator of the Bina Hill Institute; ~fr Brian Allicoc k, Commun ity Development Offi cer; \ lr lvor :\fas low, In fo rmation Tc:chno logy Office r; :'vir Vi rgil Harding.

Exc:!cuti\ c.:: Directur of :\ROD B: \-fs Eme lie .-\ llicock.
Finance: Officer: :\ fr .-\ llicoc k gave the backgrou nd fo r the c:stabli shmc:nt of the \'ROD S Jnd the mc:mbc:rs c:xplainc:d the ,·ari ous programmc:s '"hich \\'C:re bc:ing undc:rtaken and the difticultie c.:nc ountered .

'o rne: of the kl!y issuc:s r:1i sed by the: \km bc:rs of \'RDDB wc:re: I I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I I 2.2.1.

Edu cation: fhe Institute is presently still de\doping its l!ducational outreach programmes, particularly for the young people o f the surrounding communities.
Howe\·er, they are seeking to expand the number of subjt.

!cts taught, as well as the academic levels to be covered.

The present policy, for admission to the ad vanced programme being run by the lnstitute, is based o n a tirst-come tirst-admitted approac h. The lirst thirty-ti e persons to register would be accepted for the academic year.

2.2.2.

Usage of the River: The Board and the communities lack the institutional capacity and the legal a uthority to effectively police the rivers.
This has put the communit ies, \ hich are dependent on the rivers fo r tlsh and o ther benefits, at a disad vantage against persons who are deliberately exploi ting the situation fo r commercial purposes.

The commun ities are, therefore, appealing to parliamentarians to provide whatever assistance, including amending the Fisheries Act, is possible to protect them from those persons who are jeopardising their beneficial usage of the resources of the river.
They are also seeking the cooperatio n and support of the Guyana Police Force and the lwokrama Rangers to police the rivers in the region.

2.2 .3.

Harves ting of Fis h: Commercial harvesting of tish in the rivt:rs is o n the rise in the region and the present laws are too \\Cak to prevent such.

Enough scope is not given for rangc:rs and o ther personnel to prevent harve!>ting to r commc:rcial purpost:s. J 1.1A.
Illegal mining: fhere is a nt:ed fo r support fro m the rd~vant authorities to hdp tight aga inst illegal m ining in thei r communi ties.

2.2.5.

Amendment(s) to the Amerindian Act: T he representatives argued that there is nee d fo r mo re adequate consultation with the people in the various co mmunities, in the Regio n. so that they have the o pportunity to say ' hat is happening in their " backyard".

2.2.6.

Radio Transmission T here is presentl y o ne radio station in the region (channe l 97.
1) that serves 15 communities as far as Fairview.

The radio station transm its fro m ~ pm to 8 pm mainly to accommodate those persons who are fanners.

The station broadcasts in Engli sh as 'vve ll as the Makushi language, to ensure to cultural a lues a re maintained.
The aired programs include: broadcast to school; the teaching of the :'vtakushi language ; birthday requests; locally developed material aimed at educatio nal develo pment; new paper artic les and o ther programs that have bee n edited by ('.;CN.

2.3.

Visit to the lwokrama Canopy Walkway: At approximatel y 16 :-+0 hrs the delegatio n departed Bina Hill by road transport fo r the 1\'v okrama Canopy Walkway.

2A.
2A.

The lw okrama field Station (River Lodge a nd Research Ce ntre): fhe Delegation arri,ed at the Field Station at 00 :00 hrs and ' ' e re assigned acco mmodat io n and to be refreshed fo r dinner at 00:00 hrs.

I I I I I I j I I I I I I I I j j ll ,j 2A.

l. Presentation by Or Raqu el Thomas: Aller dinner.

at 00:00 hrs, Or Thomas made her pres\!ntation.

Dr. Thomas gave a brief overvi ew of the Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development.
when it was established in Guyana and its mission.

he explained the various lwokrama programmes and how they integrate in to the Amerindians illages that surrou nd the Iwokrama programme site.

The lwokrama programmes include: • • • • • • • • Research.
Service, support & inform sustainable businesses ustainable businesses Integrated Use ojJHultip/e Forest Values Educat ion and Awareness Conservation and Monitoring Timber Harvesting Sustainable Tourism Trai ning Services ee Appendix 1 Dr Thomas stated that the ultimate goal of Iwokrama was to be an international centre of exce llence fo r research and development of rain forest use and management; climate change; participatory natural resource management; an ecosystem marketplace offering a range of ·ervices in fo rest goods and services; and ecosystem services such as a carbo n-sin k and \ ater shed management.
2.5. unday 15 .June 2009: The Odegation had an early breakfast, at 00:00 hrs 5 2.5.

1.

Prese ntatio n hy \lr.

Kenneth P. Rodney, lw okrama Forest ~t a n age r: \lr Rodnt!y gave a co rnprcht!nSi\·e pre sentation on the .

ustainable Fore t \t.magement programme for the lvvokrama forest.

He informed that the total lwo krama Forest is 371.68 1 hectares fo r Production and Protection Fo rest acti\ities .
The Sustainable lJ se Area (S UA) totals 184,506 ha (productio n) or 49.65° o and tht: Wiklerncss Preserve (WP) 187.175 hectares (protection) 50.4%.

He furthe r ·tates that the ~e t Operable Area (0!0A) represents I 08.992 ha (29%) of ustainable L1se rea of the total !wo krama Forest.

7 1% is reserved from harvesting.


The Fairview T itled lands total an area is 21 ,950.8 ha which is compri sed o f the Esscquibo C o mpar1ment of 17.218.8 ha (78%) and the Wilderness Preserve of 4,732.0 ha (22% ) He further discussed the Managemen t Levt: l In entory of the NOA (2003) whic h ~hows the different fo rest type in the tota l NOA and the Operational Invento ry in the lwokrama Fo rest.

.

ee Appe ndix ll 2.5.2.

V is it to the Ti ge r 'Wood Operations : 1 lr.


Pameshwar 13abulall the operational manager of Tige r Wood expl ained to the ddegatio n that this area occupied 66.000 hectares of land mainly fo r timber harve ting.

2.5.3.

V is it to fairvi ew Village: The delegation vi s ited the Fairview village and met with the Toshao and \-k mbe rs o f the Village Cound l to learn about their invo lvement in the lwo krama programmes.

rhe C airman o f the Co mmittee intro duced the:!


\kmbers and taff and Jskcd the r o~h ao to m a ke his presentatio n. \ lr.

13rad fo rd :\ll icock.

Toshao o f Fai n iew, \\ elco med the delegatio n and made a t'ormJI int roductio n o f some members in the Fain icw comm unity.

6 I I I I I I _I I I I I IJ I I I I \lr.

t\ llil.


:ock outlined some of the activ ities that normally take place in his community and Jlso commended the Iwokrama Programmes that is of so much help to the contiguous Aml!rindian Communities.
lie l.!xplained that there is a Village Management Plan (VMP) that deals with certain issues that concl!m the communi ty suc h as; ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ ./ Village use area Ruffer zone Wilderness ustainable torest utilization Jica Fanning area Living area Rc!sourccs available etc.

Mr. Allicok also stated that Fai r View has a shareholder agreement with lwokrama.
He further stated that the Fair View community benetits tremendously from the lwokrama programmes through the pro ision of employment for members in the community.

3.0.

Departure from Annai for Georgetown: f he delegation departed for Ogle on Monday 181 h June, 2009.

7 - ............... ~.


I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 lwokrama A Living Space for Biodiversity Conservation and Development Dr Raquel Thomas Director, Rel!OUI'C8 Management and Tl'll•n•ng Where we are t v ..... alt, Agzil Cnu ufor P•C!!
loHyif Chile ''" '9''tq' I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I lwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development f.~ An international experiment in sustainable development established by Guyana in collaboration with the Commonwealth-1989 ~ An autonomous international multidisciplinary research and development centre 1m 1 million acres of Forest in Central Guyana (371 ,000 ha)- 2% Guyana's Forest ~ Governed by an Act ( 1996) lwokrama's Mission ~ To promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical ramforests in a manner that will lead ~ to lasting ecological, econom1c and soc1al benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by ~ undertaking research, training, and the development and dissemination of technologies 7/28/2010 I I I I I I J I I I ' I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 lwokrama An Experiment in Sustainable Development II Ultimate Goal a To be an international foundation for research an development in forest use and management; climate change; and participatory natural resource management !I To be an ecosystem marketplace offering a range of services in forest goods and services, including ecosystem services such as carbon Core Values of lwokrama It A people centered approach to conservation and wise use Developing low volume, high value rna for multiple forest products and services • Encouraging local, national and international partnerships Active Learning by doing I I I L I I I I I I I I I I Preserve Sustainable lwokrama and Stakeholders I I I I J I
 I I I I I I I I 'I 7/28/2010 -· • Historical owners of lwokrama Forest • Rich culture a Language 11 Archeological sites Governance Systems • Local Govt • Community based organisations- NRDDB & affiliates • lwokrama & how it relates to People • Stakeholders & Shareholders • Fairview Village The Communities-North Rupununi • 16 communities • 3,500-5000 people Ameri • Makushi language spoken in most homes I I I I I I~ I I l I I I I I I I I Frameworks for Participation • The lwokrama Act - • Legislation that guarantees and protects the rights and enables access to the use of the lwokrama Forest by the Indigenous Peoples in the communities ~ neighbouring " the Forest who have customary (traditional) rights to the Forest - This section of the Act therefore provides the entry po1nt for part1c1pation in the lwokrama Programme by Amerindian communities living 1n and around the lwokrama Forest North Rupununi District Development Board A multi-stakeholder forum and representative body to enable improved communications, information-sharing, decision-making, benefit-sharing for the people of the North Rupunum • between and among the leaders, village councils community citizens, local & other government officials especially the MoAA.
• To provide an organised, local, community-based forum for ensuring community-led interests, negotiations and agendas when meeting with other "outside" I "counterpart" Agencies such as lwokrama, UNDP, Cl etc ... • Established 1996 7/28/201 0 I I I I I ~, I I J I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 Research • Forest utilisation studies • Non-timber forest products • Bioprospecting • Citizen science monitoring • Wetlands monitoring • Community resource use maps Traditional ecological knowledg IPR and benefit sharing • • Biodiversity surveys • Flora • Wildlife surveys • Caiman, Giant River Turtle • Jaguar.
Deer, Tapir, Giant • Birds • Fish (inc Arapaima) • Ecosystem services Education and Awareness • Wildlife clubs • School yard ecology • Community radio • Forest Ranger and tour guide training • Wetlands outreach • HIV and Malaria I I I I I I~ I I L I I I I I I I I The Achievements of lwokrama • An international reputation for research into community inclusive, rainforest conservation.
• Strong partnership with local communities • Comprehensive ecosystem inventories of the lwokrama forest and the Rupununi wetlands.

• Successful creation of models for commercially sustainable management of tropical forest assets and resources.

• • lwokrama is a FSC certified forest International academic links - including for future research mto adaptation and mitigation of global Climate Change by tropical forests.
Organisation of Centre Learning by • Core Operations • Research, Service, support & inform sustainable businesses • Sustainable Businesses • Integrated Use Multiple Forest Values 7/28/201 , !
I I I I ~I I I J I I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 Conservation and Monitoring • Road Monitoring • River Monitoring • Forest impact monitoring lwokrama Businesses Integrating Conservation & Use • Ecotourism • Training • Sustainable Forestry • Intellectual Property & Services I I I I I I~ I I l I I I r I I I I I I lwokrama Approach to Business Development Community Assets Natural resources Knowledge w Health systems Business AsSets Information Labour Organization Beliefs Social systems Institutions Education systems Technology Marl<ets Capital Commerce Premise for Sustainable Resou Use Three Legged Stool SydrMy Al/koclc, Sun~ma 7/28/2010 I I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I Timber Shelter Knowledge based products Touri m Wildlife Ecosy tern crvice on-Timber Fores Timber Harvesting • Address the principal commercial value of trop1cal rainforests • Develop an appropnate model for sustainable utilisation of tropical timber resources by· • Establishing a sustainable business • Test models of Governance, Planning, Harvesting and Management a Creating a leaming environment • Monitoring and evaluating impacts on Forest and People • Support the Guyana Forestry Commission • Provide the International Community with information including lessons learned • Acquire practical experience in establishing, managing and operatin an FSC certified timber operation ;;,;._-...,...:...,.
; 7/28/2010 i Sustainable Tourism lwokrama and Rupununi recognised as of Guyana nature tourism (GTIS Report) Increasing tourists since 1999 • • Link with other North Rupununi tourism community products -~--~+-~--~~----~~ 1000 1-1200 -- !--!
:--~-_:_...~ 1ilt --2000 2001 Training Services • Protected Areas Management • Ranger Training • Tour Guiding • Collaborative Resource Management • Other specialized courses The Training Unit also provides services for Researcher visits to lwokrama Interns and volunteer programme • 7/28/2010 I ~ I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 lwokrama Earned Income 2001-2008 lwokrama's E..arnedRevenues (US$) $800,000 .,..---=--,---:,------:-----:-:--~-----:-"'!
""7-------, $70G,OOO +----!...~--'--'-----__,:.......,...

_ __,.....,......__,...,_.,...;.,:-:--:,.::.-;-'-~___.

;..._:__==--i $600,000 -1-_..:...,-.~-,;._--..,..;_-:--:-....:;_,;.__;.

:_~--'-"tt~dtfit-­ s~.
ooo+--~---~:.......,...~~--------~ 5400,000 +--,-::-_;_.....:-_--'--:'----~-~ ..... ~II,ILI~ $300,000 t----'--...,...,.~..,.--~520111":Rr-:i S200,000 ~~M;j~~~i-Z-1-~~ S100,000 so Challenges • Partnerships and consultations require patience and time • Road to Self sustainability long and difficult • Reducing donor support • Business development requires time • Monitoring and evaluation • Sustainable businesses • Ecological changes (SUAIWP) • Social effects • Enforcement (road and river) • Business Incubation • Specialised tourism products • Timber and NTFPs • Expansion of Community-based conservation efforts (have to put in the effort not to create a dependency syndrome) I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 I ...
I I I I I I I J I I I I Opportunities lwokrama one of the best studied areas in the Guiana Shield • FSC certified forest • Rich cultural heritage Only protected area in the Shield that is integrating sustainable use and conservation Lessons learnt to share One million acre of intact forest- ideal laboratory/space Well placed for study of Climate Change related issues Developing infrastructure for research and capacity building • Partnership links-International, National and Local Some facilities available- Field • lwokrama forest • 371,000 ha • lwokrama Field Station • Training and Resource Centre • Conference and Train ing facilities • Field camps • Canopy walkway • 2 functioning Ranger Stations • Internet facilities I I I I I t I I L I I I I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 A t:.
· '- 7/2'0/LU I VI I I I I I I I J I I I I I '!

( I I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I I I r 7/28/2010 .

7 7/28/201 o I I I I I I I ..

I I I J I I I I I I I I I ~ I X I I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I I I • 7/28/2010 ~ £, 7/28/2010 I ')...
I I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I 7/28/2010 •o- I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I I I I I I~ I I l I I I i I I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I Sustainable Forest Management In the lwokrama Forest Kenneth P. Rodney Forest Manager lwokrame International Centre for Rain Forest Conae!Vatlon ancl Development, Guyana www.lwoktama.o ITTO Definition of SFM The process of managing permanent forest land - - to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives of management - for the production of a continuous flow of desired forest products and services - without undue reduction of its inherent values and future productivity - without undue undesirable effects on the physical and social environment .. .
Zoning for Production I Protection Forest Totallwokrama Forest- 371 ,681 ha lwokrama Forest Wilderness Preserve (WP)- 187,175 ha (protection) (50.4%) • Sustainable Use Area (SUA)- 184,506 ha (production) (49.6%) CJ SUA CJWP , .

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!,..._• ~ I I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I ::I ~ I I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I I I I Forest T~Qing Forest Type Dakama forest Liana forest Manicole, Kokerite, Soft Wallaba forest Mixed Greenheart, Black Kakaralli, Wamara forest Mixed Greenheart, Sand Baromalli, Soft Wallaba forest Mixed low stature forest on high hills Mora, Manicole, Crabwood, Trysil forest Muri Scrub Wallaba forest Totals WP-ha SUA-ha Total Forest· 893 750 8,938 61,450 3,903 869 18,138 64,384 ha 4,796 1,619 27,076 125,834 58,824 17,335 76,1 59 25,669 20,757 4,022 5,842 29,811 39,912 3,874 6,280 55,510 60,669 7,896 12,122 187,175 184,506 371,681 Net Operable Area (NOA) Detailed Classification of the SUA Area- ha Sustainable Use Area (SUA) Special reserves, buffers, slopes >40%, inaccessible areas Non-productive forest types Seasonally flooded forest 184,506 (17,992) (50,737) (6,785) Subtotal- Non Productive (75,514) Net Operable Area (NOA) - Productive 108,992 lwokrama Forest The NOA covers 59% of the SUA The NOA is only 29% of the total lwokrama Forest 71% of the lwokrama F crest is reserved from harvesting C) SUA CJ WP Management Level Inventory of the NOA (2003) Forest Type Area - ha Mixed Greenheart, Black Kakaralli, Wamara Forest 56,650.3 Mixed Green heart, Sand Baromalli, Soft Wallaba Forest Mora, Manicole, Crabwood, Trysil Forest Wallaba Forest Total NOA 15,859.3 30,768.0 5,714.3 108,991 .9 ........
I I I I I I I I .J I I I I I I I I I ~ llbru~gement Level Inventory I within the NetSUA •· i • Essequibo- 20,011 ha • Kurupukari- 40,812 ha • Levai- 23,907 ha • Mausiparu - 49,127 ha • Pakatau - 45,1 09 ha A I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I "' I I I J I I I I I I I t'l Fair View Titled Lands -§:" ·t · ... -- ~~­ ' l.= ·= ·-·-......... ] • Total area- 21 ,950.8 ha • Essequibo Compartment-17,218.8 ha (78%) • Wilderness Preserve- 4,732.0 ha (22%) )..
I I I I I I I I L I I I I I I I I I I Operational Inventory • Pre-harvest (1 00%) inventory • MU #7 completed - 2004 • MU #5 and 41 completed - 2008 • 2 or 3 MU's/year • Precise volume by species and size • Digital GIS map -tree locations • Planning skid trail and road layout • Follows RIL procedures • Processing/marketing strategies MU #7 Harvest Plan Map 1 7 JV Timber Operation • lwokrama provides SFM and harvest planning • lwokrama provides monitoring and supervision • Defined area by Compartment, MU and Block • Trees marked for felling • Skid trails, log markets and roads defined • Forest Certification achieved AAC Calculation (per GFC recommendation) • NOA = 108,992 ha • Cutting cycle = 60 years • 108,992 ha /60 yrs = 1,816.5 ha/year • 20 m3/ha • 1,816.5 ha/yr x 20 m3fha = 36,330 m3fyr ~ j I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I :.I • Socio-economic impact on communities • Bio-physical impact on the natural environment (flora, fauna, soils, water) • Adaptive management plan I I I I I I Sustainable Forest Management In the lwokrama Forest Kenneth P. Rodney Forest Manager lwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conaervatlon and Development, Guyana www.lwokrama.o I I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I ···I