The people of the Wapichan communities of South Rupununi on Tuesday unveiled a digital map of their traditional territories along with a plan that if successfully implemented would protect 1.4 million hectares of pristine rainforest, while preserving their cultural, linguistic and historic heritage.
The digital map of the area in the South Rupununi District of Region Nine—which is the homeland of 20 Wapichan communities—has been in the making for 10 years. It is part of a long-standing campaign to have their rights to their traditional lands legally recognised, according to the South Central People’s Development Association (SCPDA).
According to that body, the entire Wapichan territory in Guyana is threatened by mega road and dam projects as well as external plans for logging, mining, and agribusiness development. They are
