[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Kaieteur National Park (KNP) has been re-opened, even as Park Rangers continue to be vigilant for any signs of the female tourist who went missing more than a week ago, during a visit to the site.
According to the Ministry of Presidency, the Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes, convened a meeting, on September 08, with representatives of The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Air Services Limited (ASL), the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with regard to the closure of the KNP, following a more than week long search for the missing tourist.
The decision to re-open the Park was made following the meeting where discussions were held on enhancing safety for visitors of the site.
Among the agreed measures is the development of improved protocols, provision of additional tour guides, further training for KNP Tour Guides and enhanced signage.
“The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment wishes to express sincere thanks to the agencies and individuals who have played a supportive role in the search and rescue operation over the last week. Special thanks must be extended to members of the GPF, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the tour operators for their diligence and cooperation,” the release noted.
The GDF has completed its search and withdrawn the Special Forces Team from KNP but the Park Rangers will continue to be vigilant for any signs of the missing woman. Members of communities surrounding the Park are also asked to keep a lookout.
Gyaneshwarie Laleta Sivinand, was reported missing at Kaieteur National Park (KNP) since September 01. iNews had reported that the woman was part of a group of persons on a tour, organised by a local tour operator – Air Services Limited. Reports indicate that Sivinand was seen crying while on the phone on the plane; however when the aircraft landed at the Falls, she appeared perky.
It has been reported that the flight had a total of nine passengers and sometime during the tour, she was discovered to be missing. Contrary to what the woman had told people on the trip, she is neither a doctor nor an environmentalist. As a matter of fact, she is a former employee of Laparkan and Singer’s.
V sad but I think she knew what she was doing..
MOST tourists I know who got to the Kaieteur,go with another person or persons. This seems to be someone who wanted to go missing – for whatever reason. The search will just to go on to solve the mystery as best as is possible.