Some of the small loggers receiving their log-tracking tags
As part of Government’s plan to revive the forest sector, the Natural Resources Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) recently issued 2005 log tracking tags to the members of the Ituni Small Loggers Association.
This was derived from a recent visit to the community by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.
During his visit, the Minister met with several members of the Association and residents who expressed their concerns about the economic difficulties faced within their communities.
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and other officials listening to the concerns of loggers at Ituni
It was pointed out that Ituni depends on logging as its main economic activity and as such, the availability of approved harvestable logging quota managed through the GFC’s issuance of log tracking tags is vital for its sustainability.
As such, a collaborative effort between the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Association saw the resolution of this matter.
On October 8, the Chairman of the Ituni Small Loggers Association, Richard James, uplifted the 2005 log tracking tags for his Association.
Additionally, Minister Bharrat kept his promise to Region Two loggers and miners for a follow-up meeting with regulatory agencies.
On this note, the GFC and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) engaged stakeholders with the aim of providing efficient service within the sectors.
Several initiatives were adopted which were welcomed by stakeholders. The meeting was held at State House Anna Regina on October 16 and was attended by Regional Chairperson Vilma Da Silva, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, GFC Commissioner (ag) Gavin Agard, GFC Deputy Commissioner Tasreef Khan, and Manager of Mines Division GGMC Krishna Ramdass.
Further, these efforts by the Natural Resources Ministry through the GFC and other natural resources regulatory agencies are in keeping with the Minister’s commitment to contribute to the development of rural and hinterland forest communities through Sustainable Forest Management.
