WWF Guianas has welcomed the announcement by the Government of Guyana on Monday that $2 billion will be allocated to the National Protected Areas Trust Fund.
“This significant contribution more than doubles the existing fund that comprised US$5.3 million committed by the Government of Germany and the US$3.5 million from the Conservation International’s Global Conservation Fund,” the World Wildlife Fund Guianas (WWF) said in a press release yesterday. “It also signals the government’s recognition of the importance of the environment to the nation’s well-being and its intent to give this sector priority.”
According to the statement, the Trust Fund will support the Protected Areas of Kaieteur, the Kanuku Mountains, and Shell Beach as well as some of the urban park areas. These collectively cover five per cent of the national territory.
Plans are also well advanced to include the Wai-Wai community conservation concession into the National Protected Area System. The completion of this process will add another three per cent, bringing the total area under protection to about eight per cent.
Guyana is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which commits the nation to designating 17% of its territory as a Protected Area, and sums accruing for the Trust Fund can help meet this target.
“WWF also applauds the decision to take these funds from mining revenues,” the international body said. It further noted that the Guyana Government is challenged to identify mechanisms that allow economic development and careful exploitation of its mineral wealth while safeguarding the rich, natural heritage of the country. “Utilising funds from the mining sector to support the Trust Fund is a good example of how these sometimes conflicting interests can be used for net long-term benefit,” the WWF said.
