Conservation International Guyana (CIG) says it expects to enhance its role in safeguarding Guyana’s natural heritage with its appointment of Dr David Singh as its executive director.

In a press release yesterday CIG said Singh previously served as the director general at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development and he brings a wealth of experience to the field of conservation and environmental management. CI’s Vice President of the Guianas Lisa Famolare said Singh’s “commitment to biodiversity conservation in Guyana is extraordinary and the experience he brings from Iwokrama is second to none.”

Singh joins CI, sharing the view that conservation is centred on people. “Our mission to conserve the Earth’s living heritage, our global biodiversity and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature,” he said. He added that “with the increased, urgent demands generated through the effects of climate change, conservation is now recognised as a central feature of economic development.” For Guyana, he said, “this is expressed in the growing recognition that the carbon stock in our intact forests provides a global public good around which we must develop financial mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use.”

Singh said he is pleased that his appointment will allow him to continue to work in the Rupununi Savannahs. He noted that the area is extremely rich in biodiversity and rivals anywhere else in the world of comparable size.

“The people, the place and biodiversity come together to make this area a centre for tourism in Guyana. We look forward to continue working with communities and like-minded organisations in its development,” he added.