Guyana celebrates timber protection deal with CI

Guyana celebrates timber protection deal with CI
Kaieteur News, 23 September 2007

In reflection of five years of viable timber alternative in the Upper
Essequibo Conservation Concession, Conservation International on
Thursday hosted a small ceremony in commemoration of the event.

The event, which was hosted at Cara Lodge, highlighted some of the
activities which CI has been involved in over the past years.

Giving a brief overview of the project, Eustace Alexander, Manager,
Conservation Science, said that the organisation entered into a lease
agreement with the Government of Guyana on July 17, 2002.

He noted that there are potential benefits for carbon credit and other
ecological payment schemes in the concession.

According to Alexander, communities around the concession have
supported the concept of conservation.

Achieving biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development is
one of the major goals of the project, Alexander noted.

Also in attendance at the event was Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and
Commissioner of Forests, James Singh.

Senior Economist Dr. Richard Rice, who initiated the project, was also
present.

The lease with CI has another 25 years to go.