Kabakaburi livelihood affected as GFC halts lumbering activities – Toshao

The livelihood of hundreds of Amerindians living in the village of Kabakaburi, in the Upper Pomeroon riverine community of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), is currently being adversely affected by the cessation of lumbering activities ordered by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
Kabakaburi Toshao Cleveland Simon revealed that the village economy has declined since the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) brought a halt to all lumbering activities there, and villagers are now burdened with depleted spending power.
“Most of the residents depend on lumbering, (yet) they were ordered to stop harvesting… This is unacceptable, and something needs to be done,” Simon bemoaned.
Simon disclosed that he is currently requesting the village “Land Map”, in order to lay to rest the issue of village demarcation, because the GFC is contending that his villagers are harvesting lumber from outside the village boundaries.
He said residents are fully aware of the village’s boundaries, but having the Land Map would put the issue to rest. His only problem is knowing for sure whether the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) would release the map.
The matter, he disclosed, is currently engaging the attention of the hierarchy of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), besides those of the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and other relevant authorities.
Simon says he is very concerned about his people’s welfare, and would be happy to have the matter resolved promptly. (Indrawattie Natram)