James Singh Centre for Innovation, Training and Sustainable Forestry: Yarrowkabra Training Centre renamed to honour late forestry commissioner

A major chapter in Guyana’s forestry history was marked on Friday with the renaming of the Yarrowkabra Training Centre (YTC) in honour of the late James Singh, a former Commissioner of Forests of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), whose work helped shape sustainable forest management in the country. The facility will hereafter be known as the James Singh Centre for Innovation, Training and Sustainable Forestry, a move that recognises Singh’s decades of dedication and service to the GFC and his role in strengthening forestry training, research and education.

Located at Yarrowkabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the centre has been a cornerstone of forestry development since its establishment in the 1960s. Over the years it has equipped thousands of Guyanese with practical experience, skills and technical knowledge to support sustainable use of forest resources. James Singh, who served the GFC in several senior capacities from 1998 until his passing in June 2025 was deeply and immensely involved in the development and expansion of the training centre. Under his guidance, the facility evolved beyond research to include structured training programmes aimed at building a skilled and disciplined workforce. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat said the centre represents the values or professionalism and stewardship that Singh championed throughout his career. He noted that the training provided at the facility has contributed significantly to Guyana maintaining one of the lowest deforestation rates globally, while remaining among the most forested countries in the world.

“This centre has produced generations of foresters who helped shape Guyana into one of the most forested countries in the world, with one of the lowest deforestation rates,” he said. Also addressing the gathering, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Vanessa Benn highlighted the centre’s broader role in national development. She said the institution not only imparts technical skills, but also instils discipline, a sense of service among trainees and responsibility principles that Singh embodied in his leadership. Family members of the late forestry leader were also present at the ceremony, as officials unveiled the new billboard bearing the centre’s new name. Following the renaming of the facility, Minister Vickram Bharrat, engaged with staff of the Forest Monitoring Division (FMD) of the Guyana Forestry Commission, who were participating in their annual training retreat from January 22-24. The retreat is held for staff of the division to improve their skills, knowledge of the sector and to boost overall camaraderie, the GFC noted. During the engagement, the Minister encouraged the staff to maintain a high standard of professional conduct, while reiterating the importance of the forestry sector to national development and environmental sustainability.