There are many things to brag about when thinking about our homeland – Guyana. It is reported that as much as 87% of our land remains intact forest. Added to being a ‘Waterside Land’, it’s not surprising to hear about the amazing variety and abundance of wildlife found in our rainforests, mangroves, savannas and freshwater habitats. Undoubtedly, you have heard of or visited one of our five (5) Protected Areas – Kaieteur National Park, Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Shell Beach Protected Area, Kanuku Mountain Protected Areas and Kanashen Community Owned Conservation Area. These areas have been recognized as biodiversity hotspots and were considered worthy of protection and management under the Guyana Protected Areas System.
When we think of conservation in Guyana – in fact, we think of our wildlife, protected areas, and even local agencies such as the Protected Areas Commission, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency. However, there have always been champions for environmental protection and protection. Over the past few decades, there have been increasing efforts to recognize these champions – our native brothers and sisters, who have been keepers of the lands they occupy. Their way of life has always given them a close relationship with the lands and waterways around them. The rainforests and rivers provide for their subsistence and livelihood. Most importantly, their cultural beliefs and practices, based on traditional knowledge, have ensured sustainable use of these resources.
Traditional knowledge refers to the knowledge, practices, and innovations of indigenous peoples acquired over many years, passed down from generation to generation. It is not static, but it responds to the environment, and evolves over time. It can take the form of customs, stories, songs, cultural values, beliefs / rituals, languages and community law.
The recognition of indigenous peoples and the role that their traditional knowledge has played in the management and protection of the environment worldwide has been increasingly emphasized. Amazingly, most indigenous communities are located in areas where the vast majority of the world’s biodiversity is found. They have been managing the resources in these areas in a sustainable way for thousands of years. Some of their practices have been shown to enhance and promote biodiversity at a local level, and help maintain healthy ecosystems. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) has therefore been encouraging greater dialogue and involvement of indigenous people in conservation planning and implementation.
In light of that, Guyana has been working at various levels to ensure that we recognize the role that our indigenous people have played and continue to play in the management and conservation of Guyana’s natural resources. For example, each of our Protected Areas is linked to several indigenous communities. These communities support the management of these Protected Areas, and respect their right to continue to use the resources sustainably in these areas. At the same time, many indigenous communities recognize that some of their traditional knowledge is in danger of being lost. Efforts to preserve traditional knowledge therefore need to be urgently addressed.
So what can be done? Look out next week for a follow-up article to learn about the Darwin Initiative (UK-funded) project that has been promoting traditional knowledge content at the national level.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, ECEA Program C / O, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
