|
Guyana’s efforts to protect and preserve its forests have attractedForestry officials from Ghana meet Forestry Minister, Robert Persaud.international attention with seven officials from Ghana visiting to learn about chainsaw milling.Yesterday,Rocky Bleier Steelers Jersey, the group which included two officials and Ghana’s Forestry Commission and the rest from the private sector yesterday flew over a part of the country’s forests during a trip to the Kaieteur Falls.According to Godfrey Marshall,Logan Ryan Patriots Jersey, Director of the Forestry Training Center, the group is here to learn specifically of Guyana’s Chainsaw Milling Project which several local communities are involved in.With chainsaw logging still illegal in Ghana,Hines Ward Steelers Jersey, the officials are here to see firsthand how Guyana is tackling the issue.Yesterday, the officials met with Minister in charge of Forestry,Julian Edelman Patriots Jersey, Robert Persaud, who disclosed that Guyana has moved in 2007 to introduce the chainsaw milling project after problems with illegal logging.Some 62 community organizations were formed as a result with systems put in place,Sammie Coates Steelers Jersey, including allocation of forestry concessions to ensure logs were harvested legally.According to Persaud, Government is mindful that while no illegality can be tolerated, there was the issue of economic fallout,Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey, had chainsaw logging been totally stopped. Hundreds of families and scores of communities depend on logging for a livelihood.An example of logging groups from Kwakwani, Region 10,Donnie Shell Steelers Jersey, was cited where a group of loggers are turning over almost US$1.3M annually.In Guyana,Terry Bradshaw Steelers Jersey, small loggers are contributing almost 20 percent,Matt Ryan Falcons Jersey, or a fifth of the lumber harvested, the Minister disclosed.Against this is the fact that Guyana has to meet international standards especially with the US and Europe with new requirements mandating that illegal logging must be drastically reduced and checks and balances in place. |
|