Govt committed to protection of nation’s wildlife – Dir. of Environment

― Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) ensures wildlife protection

― Wildlife Conservation Commission urges Guyanese to protect marine life

DPI, Guyana, Monday, March 4, 2019

World Wildlife Day was birthed at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly nearly six years ago. Since its conception, countries around the world legislate laws and participate in campaigns to both celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wildlife. This year’s World Wildlife Day is celebrated under the theme ‘Life below water: for people and planet’.

The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, in collaboration with several organisations, hosted an opening ceremony, panel discussion and exhibition at Sophia’s Exhibition Centre to commemorate the day.

Addressing a diverse audience of youths and other stakeholders, Director of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, conveyed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s wildlife.

“The global theme for this year’s celebration… directly aligns with our Green State Development Strategy (GSDS)- Vision 2040… Under this development objective, the government intends to achieve the conservation and preservation of our rich natural capital through prudent management of our natural resources. We also recognise that Guyana’s marine environment will benefit from improved management of our water resources through the execution of sustainable practices, including the prioritisation of critical natural habitats including wetlands which are home to a diverse range of biodiversity,” Schwiers noted.

Additionally, while lauding Guyana’s biological richness, Schwiers stressed that the theme of World Wildlife Day allows us to “highlight the critical issues and value of marine or freshwater wildlife, celebrate successful initiatives to conserve and sustainably manage these species and scale up future initiatives”.

Furthermore, Head of Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, Alona Sankar cited numerous partners that are critical to the commission’s work, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Fisheries Department, Ministry of Natural Resources, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Conservation International (CI). The Wildlife Commission Head lead a charge to Guyanese, stating that “this environment is our environment and we each must take responsibility for its state… we, therefore, urge all parties involved to play their role in protecting our marine environment.”

World Wildlife Day 2019 is celebrated with Sustainable Development Goal 14 in mind, which addresses the conservational and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources.

Shaquille Bourne

Images: Ameer Sattaur

Editor’s Note: Green State Development Strategy is a national development plan, providing long-term vision and guidance for Guyana’s economic, social and environmental development.

The objective of the GSDS is to reorient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on resource-intensive sectors and opening new sustainable income and investment opportunities in green sectors with higher added value, while promoting an equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities to all Guyanese. The GSDS will provide a platform from which Guyana can start the transition to a diversified green and inclusive economy.