Local forest producers are firmly on the side of responsible timber harvesting and are “deeply concerned” at what the Guyana Forest Producers Association (FPA) says are “unfair and unwarranted attacks” on the operations of its members by environmentalists and other groups many of whom take little time to understand their particular role in the industry and in the community as a whole.
The forest producers are contending that contrary to what is often propagated legitimate operators are, “by and large, complying with environmental concerns” and seeking to build capacity to respond effectively to the responsibilities associated with sustainable timber harvesting. The timber harvesters also say that the track record of legitimate loggers suggests both a particular regard for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and a concern with enhancing the welfare of indigenous communities.
The FPA has told Stabroek Business that it is seeking to “set the records straight” in the face of increasingly strident attacks on the industry which it says are seriously damaging the image of legitimate forest producers and may even be contributing to “harmful official prejudices” that are hurting the industry. “Part of the problem is that many groups that have an agenda that is associated with the rights of indigenous peoples appear to feel duty bound to be critical of the forestry sector.” an FPA official told Stabroek Business.
The FPA says that many of its members provide valuable support for those Amerindian communities in cases where logging concessions encompass those communities. The association says that members’ assistance to those communities include building materials, health facilities, housing and financial support for community projects. “In one instance virtually an entire complex that includes electricity, water supply and other necessities has been set up,” the FPA says.
The FPA says that the forestry sector continues to contribute significantly to the Guyanese economy and that the way forward in seeking to ensure compliance with environmental regulations does not necessitate constant attacks against local timber producers. The Association says that good forestry management is an integral part of the system of management employed by its members since they fully understood and supported initiatives designed to protect the country against the dangers of deforestation. “Part of the problem is that some of our critics simply cannot be convinced that forestry can co-exist with sound environmental practices. Such a goal is certainly achievable and we believe that we are contributing to the realization of that goal,” the FPA says.
The FPA is contending that the real enemies of responsible forestry practices are the “chain saw operators” who continue to show scant regard for the Codes of Practice and monitoring rules set out by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) by raiding concessions and indiscriminately felling trees.
The FPA says that while its members have persisted over the years in making “massive capital outlays” in the forestry sector “while pursuing its social and environmental responsibilities in a much-governed industry” it now finds itself losing out to high costs resulting from new demands that were resulting in the creation of a less than favourable investment climate.
