The proposed Green Bartica Development and Land Use Plan (GBDLUP) was presented for consideration to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon last week, in his Office at the Ministry of Presidency.
Presidential Adviser on the Environment, Rear Admiral (Rt’d) Gary Best made the presentation and was accompanied by Land Use Expert on the project, Charles Griffith.
Best explained that the objective was to present a consistent and integrated green plan to generate policies that would lead to the sustainable development of the natural capital of Bartica, in an effort to maximise revenue generation and the provision of services to the residents.
Presidential Adviser Gary Best presenting the development plan
According to the plan, Bartica will set the tone of the green economy as Guyana’s first green model town.
The Presidential Adviser pointed to the importance of Bartica as a pathway for Guyana’s green economy.
Several main pillars of the green economy were presented including: sustainable harvesting of natural capital, integrated planning and data management, environmental security, disaster risk reduction, financial mobilisation and technology and science innovation.
Griffith also presented on the aspect of land use, to modernise and industrialise Bartica.
He explained that this aspect of the plan was influenced by the “probable patterns of global and local outcomes”.
Modernisation aspects include the construction of a modern sewer and wastewater treatment system, retrofitting of current infrastructure, climate proofing of future development, the establishment of the following zones: industrial, Government, business, housing, tourism, recreational, research and culture.
Minister Harmon noted that the presentation was impressive and, as such, assured of the Government’s full support towards ensuring that all studies and assessments were completed.
The GBDLUP was also presented to the Minister and staff of the Ministry of Communities, Commissioner and staff of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Minister and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Land Use Committee, and the Bartica Town Council.
