[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment says it has received numerous reports through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the illegal hunting and trading of wildlife in Guyana
As such, the Ministry has sought to remind persons of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations, 2013, which states that anyone who contravenes the tenets of this Legal Instrument will be guilty of an offense and liable to receiving penalties ranging from $30,000 to $750,000 along with prison time.
The Ministry in a media release today also reiterated that all “species of wildcats including Jaguar and Puma are protected, which means that their collection, holding in captivity, hunting, or otherwise molesting is prohibited. This extends to the owning and selling of cat body parts or products thereof.”
In light of the foregoing, the Ministry has embarked on a vigorous programme to enforce the regulation and curb the illegal hunting and trapping of wildlife.
It was noted that a National Committee was established to oversee the management and conservation of wildlife in Guyana.
This committee known as the Wildlife Management Steering Committee is headed by Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh and represents the interest of all relevant public sector institutions and their stakeholders.
It acts in an advisory capacity to provide general oversight and guidance in the development of strategies and programmes for wildlife management and conservation in Guyana as per the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations 2013.
Upon its finalization, the Committee will also be guided by the Wildlife Import and Export Bill 2013 which seeks to better regulate the trading of wildlife.
In executing its mandate, the Committee is liaising with various stakeholders both local and international including Panthera and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
