Social development, an integral part of forestry growth
-significant progress made in Region Ten

Georgetown, GINA, October 24, 2007.

Government’s commitment to sustainable forestry development does not only focus on economic advancement but, entails a social aspect through which many communities have benefited, including Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
This was highlighted at a meeting on October 23 at the Linden Constabulary to sensitise forestry stakeholders of Region Ten about the enforcement of wood processing standards and procedures for sawmills, sawpits, lumberyards and timber depots being promoted by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The meeting is the fourth held countrywide to update stakeholders on the regulations and help them to meet the necessary requirements with effect from January 2008.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud noted that the activity is intended to ensure that forestry operations in Guyana continue to fulfill the necessary national and international requirements and enable stakeholders to derive more benefits.
This is in keeping with Government’s vision to promote growth in the forestry sector and to support further socio-economic development in more communities.
Under GFC’s Sustainable Forestry Development Programme, loggers of various areas have formed groups and are guided toward procurement and utilisation of state forests that allow them to increase economic earnings and further develop themselves and communities.
“This represents an important posture of Government through the GFC to not only look at economic benefits but in this region, we have put a lot of emphasis on the social aspect and policy wise, we have ensured that there is equitable access to natural resources,” the Minister said.
He noted that when the present administration took office in 1992, it was recognised that most of the forest resources were hugged by several big players and efforts were made to regularize the situation. In some instances, Government had to repossess forestry concessions and distribute it among small loggers’ associations.
Over the years, various initiatives have been implemented to further support this process and through the GFC, several actions have been taken to improve all areas of operations including processing activities, hence the regulations that seek to address several deficiencies in current operations such as old sawmilling machinery with very few spare parts available and high percentage of sawn timber produced for the local market in few standard sizes.
It has been recognised that there is also little timber precision trimmed, low quality standards set by the local market and no standardisation of cutting/ profile sizes. These have been targeted for regularisation as well.
Commissioner of GFC James Singh noted that the commission has dedicated considerable time and resources to enhance forestry operations through the development of Codes of Practices, tagging, new permits, new stations, databases, enhanced monitoring and inventory. It is recognised that there is need to focus on procedures and guidelines to enhance the processing operations.
Stakeholders were allowed to express their views on the regulations during which they spoke about the future of chainsaw operations, need for capital to ensure compliance with some of the procedures and Government’s input in the process.
They were advised that the regulations are not aimed at ceasing chainsaw operations but rather to regularize the system.
The meeting, which was held as part of Agriculture Month which is being observed under the theme ‘The Right to Food- a Reality in Guyana,’ included a session for agricultural discussions during which farmers raised various matters of concern.  
The need to accelerate the procurement of land for farming by the Amelia’s Ward Group and desilting of the Kara Kara Creek mouth were among the main issues discussed.
     Various officials of the Regional Administration and the Agriculture Ministry were present at the meeting.   

more bulletins