Guyana’s Quest for Eco Tourism and Lodges
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Developing countries throughout the world especially those in the Caribbean and the West Indies are paying keener and keener attention to the creation of an eco-tourism and sustainable development base to satisfy a growing niche market that could pave the way for socio-economic growth and development for their respective population. (Click Map.)
The work that is being undertaken at the 370,000 hectares Iwokrama (International Center For Rain Forest Conservation and Development) project in Guyana's hinterland could well become the prototype for the eco-tourism and sustainable development goal that so many nations are seeking.
The project on which the future generation of Guyanese and indeed other countries of the world will depend, has its mission clearly defined: "The mission of the Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development is to promote the conservation of the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies."
It was recognized by the Government of Guyana that eco-tourism is a potentially valuable and sustainable use of tropical forest ecosystems, and this recognition led to a World Bank/Commonwealth Secretariat grant for study on the potential for eco-tourism in the Iwokrama Forest.
The study concluded that eco-tourism is a viable and appropriate endeavor for the Iwokrama Center, which has several characteristics that give it a potential comparative advantage in the development of eco-tourism.
The Iwokrama Forest itself is a unique resource of natural and human communities, with extra-ordinary scientific and global conservation value, and a combination of attractive elements that have tremendous appeal to potential visitors interested in natural history, social anthropology and conservation.
Tropical rain forests are currently high on the list of popular destinations for nature and adventure travelers.
Work at the center is continuing against the background of a world demand for a substantive demonstration that the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forest can provide tangible and lasting benefits to the governments and communities that own these resources or depend on them for their very livelihoods.
In most parts of the world, forest development has not been sustainable, hence the emphasis on what is being done in Guyana at the Iwokrama Center. As part of the on-going projects at Iwokrama, the Wilderness Preserve (WP) was established in an area comprising approximately half of the Iwokrama Forest. The WP will give maximum protection to Iwokama's rich biological diversity while allowing opportunities for some income generation from low-impact activities such as eco-tourism, scientific research and conservation sponsorship.
The management plan for this area will emphasize management issues such as boundary demarcation, environmental monitoring, patroling and provision and maintenance of an access network of creeks for canoeing, foot trails and primitive campsites among others.
The development of management plans for the other half of the forest, the Sustainable Utilization Area (SUA), is more complicated as the main purpose of this area is to use the multiple resources of the tropical forest so that they yield the greatest benefit to present generations while maintaining their potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.
The word Iwokrama is derived from the Amerindian word that means "place of refuge." Among the striking features of the Iwokarama forest is the abundance of several large and often conspicuous animals that are close to extinction in other parts of the world.
Guyana, on the north eastern tip of South America, is home to an extraordinary wildlife that includes Giant Anteaters, Anacondas, Black Caiman, Arapaima, Giant River Turtles, Giant River Otters and Jaguars. Of all of these animals, the Jaguar is perhaps the most important as the largest predator in South America.
Guyana's forests have healthy populations of jaguars and the nation may be home to one fifth of all of the jaguars remaining in the world today. The Makushi people of the North Rupununi recognize 18 different kinds of big cats in contrast to the six species recognized by scientists. Jaguars have been decimated over the years by hunters for their furs as well as by ranchers, but today the concern focuses on the destruction of the habitat.
Of the estimated 15,000 jaguars left in the wild, about
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Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
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Edwin ALi, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.