Germany continues to recognise Guyana for its advancement in its efforts to boost protected areas management which has resulted in the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment securing support for Guyana’s fledgling Protected Areas System from the German Development Bank, KfW
The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud today received two vehicles at a value of G$ 16.5 M on behalf of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) to assist it in the implementation of its mandate.
Minister Persaud acknowledged the support from KfW and the German Government and look forward to the continued firm commitment.
The Natural Resources and the Environment Minister also highlighted that discussions have commenced with the KfW Mission on finalising the implementation framework for the upcoming Phase three, which will see Euro 4.3M going towards additional support to protected areas management, infrastructure, and community initiatives, as well as strengthening environmental management capacity in key areas.
This phase is expected to be implemented over a five-year period, commencing in 2014. It will add to the gains made under the previous initiatives supported by KfW.
Minister Persaud stated that the vehicles were procured under the Euro 5.15M committed for the on-going GPAS Phase Two project. Of this total amount, Euro 4M is for use as an endowment to the Protected Areas Trust Fund under the Protected Areas Act 2011, while the remaining funds are earmarked for the establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment’s Protected Areas Commission offices and the development of infrastructure management plans in key Protected Areas.
He also pointed out that the Ministry is working with KfW to finalise arrangements, which would allow for the construction of the PAC Offices to commence within the next two months, and also hinted at possible support from KfW and the German Government for a modern lodge at the Kaieteur National Park.
This is the latest initiative in a long history of cooperation between Guyana and Germany which began in 1996.
GPAs Phase One supported sustainable livelihood projects in over thirty Amerindian communities associated with Shell Beach, Kanuku Mountains, Kaieteur National Park and the Upper Mazaruni. This initiative also led to the drafting of the National Protected Areas Act, delineation plans for both the Kanuku Mountains and Shell Beach Protected Areas, and a draft Kanuku Mountains Management Plan.
