Linden loggers sensitised on forest management
― informed on Environmental Authorisation Process in Guyana
― informed on legal procedures in the industry
DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 8, 2019
Representatives of logging concessions and associations in Coomacka, Rock Stone, Blue Berry Hill all of Linden, Region 10 participated in a capacity building workshop on the environmental authorisation process in Guyana.
The workshop, the second of its kind in Linden, saw about 40 participants, is the second of its kind in Linden was facilitated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the FAO – EU FLEGT Programme. Among the other stakeholders present were representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Participants of the EPA workshop at Watooka Guest House
According to EPA’s senior Environmental Officer Colis Primo, the aim of the workshop is to present information on how forest producers can familiarise themselves with the requirements of the EU FLEGT agreement. This arrangement stipulates that any forest produced item that is being exported, must subscribe to a legal system, since it allows for tractability of the project, from the logging point to the export point.
“The intention is to also build capacity within these communities so that there can be resource people within those areas, who understand the process and can assist them in executing the application,” Primo explained.
The FAO/ EU FLEGT agreement does not only focus on the environmental aspect of the industry but also considers legal procedures such as NIS and GRA registration. “So, it is a multiplicity of requirements that forest producers and forest organisations are required to subscribe to,” he related.
The information sessions included an overview of the work of the EPA and value of the natural environment and more so, demonstration sessions on how they must become authorised.
At the end of the one-day workshop, participants are expected to gain basic knowledge on completing the application form and would be able to subscribe to the process as well as to establish environmental safeguards within their logging operations. The aim is to also increase authorised logging concessions in the region.
This workshop will be duplicated across the country.
Story and images: Vanessa Braithwaite