The productive sector is likely to suffer tremendously now that the Government plans to conserve an additional two million hectares of forest lands, former President, Bharrat Jagdeo says.
With the recent signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Guyana Government pledged to put two million hectares of forest under conservation.
Recently, President David Granger explained that the allocation of more land to the protected area system would ensure that these natural resources are used sustainably and preserved for future generations, and was part and parcel of the plan to promote a green economy.
The President also stated that conservation would be used in tandem with the proliferation of eco-tourism in Guyana.
But Jagdeo has strongly criticised this move and berated the Government for not having a serious strategy aimed at achieving a green economy. He contended that those currently responsible for the natural resources sector appeared to be “incompetent about the dynamics of the sector, given the plans, or lack of, made to fight against climate change.”
Jagdeo explained that Guyana’s deforestation rate has remained one of the lowest in the world, around 0.065 per cent.
He said with a deforestation rate that low, there really was no need to convert more of the country’s forest which could otherwise be utilised in an environmentally friendly way to boost production and ultimately generate revenue for the country and its people.
“How are they going to get that done? It could mean they are going to take back lands from the people who have forest leases, from miners; and even if they don’t, that would be two million hectares more of our land that we can’t bring into productive use,” he explained.
Jagdeo contended that this commitment was silly also because even developed countries were not making these pledges.
He also criticised the commitment made to move Guyana to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.
“So in nine years’ time, we’re supposed to believe that this country will use 100 per cent renewable energy. It is impossible to say that every vehicle, every power plant…will start using renewable energy,” the Opposition Leader asserted.
Jagdeo posited that with the rate at which the Government was going, Guyana’s reputation on the international scene with regard to its climate change efforts would soon be destroyed.
Jagdeo is absolutely correct…when you have a set of dunces who is running the country cannot distinguish correctly what GREEN economy means and conserve, it is SAD days ahead for Guyana….Way too much corruption is involved….the USA sight is ON OIL ONLY so they will put a blind eye to the current administration jokes…..
If Jagdeo believes the forest belongs to him,let him go there to live.He wouldn`t want to leave Prado Ville for nothing,to go and live in the BUSH.Good Living Nah Last Lang.
Jagdeo must realize that his tour of duty expired years ago,and must allow this Coalition whose tour of duty is presently on now.This Coalition has intelligent people who are in charge.When the forest was being given away to Bai-Shan-Lin,telling him anything about that would have made no difference.Give this Coalition a BREAK.He had his time,this is their time NOW.
This from the champion of global consevation
Granger don’t understand natural science that is why he speaks like that.
The government of the day most follow his footsteps and sell out the country to more Chinese,pocket the money and to hell was climate and anything else. Its this the same bed bug that calls himself CHAMPION of the earth,,this guy is a very good stand up comedian,,