…no tolerance for persons breaking law by setting fires – Ministry in notice
Describing the increase in forest fires in the hinterland as “alarming”, the Natural Resources Ministry and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) have warned those setting these fires that there will be no tolerance for this illegal practice and urged the general public to play their part in combatting the spread of these fires.
In a notice, the Ministry pointed out that the Forests Act (2009) clearly prohibits persons from setting fires, specifically dropping “a lighted match or lighted and flammable material”. Additionally, Clause 27 (2) of the Act makes it the duty of everyone who sees a fire burning to inform a forest or fire officer.
“Clause 28 (1) (a) also informs that persons observing a fire burning in the forest should take all possible steps to extinguish the fire. Further, Clause 29 (1) (a) states that a forest officer may require persons within a reasonable distance of the fire to assist in getting the fire under control.
Persons helping to douse wildfires in sections of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) last week
“The forest resources of Guyana are the patrimony of all Guyanese and provide shelter for humans and animals. It is an evolving eco-system with a rich, diverse biodiversity. Additionally, they provide logging and other employment opportunities which empower Indigenous and other hinterland residents, improving their quality of life.”
It was further pointed out by the Ministry that the forest plays an important role in carbon storage and other environmental services, as well as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
“As such, the important role that forests play in our daily lives cannot be over-emphasised. The deliberate destruction and devastation of Guyana’s forests will, therefore, not be tolerated. The urgent assistance of the public is required to report and assist in preventing the spread of fires detected and to prevent new fires,” they added.
Only last week Tuesday, a wildfire at Parakies Village in the North West District of Region One (Barima-Waini) claimed the life of 93-year-old Alexander Josephine. Initial investigations indicated that the fire originated in an open farmland area adjacent to the Parakies Main Road, and the fire left significant burn damage and ash residue in its wake amidst the dense vegetation.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has previously issued advisories, urging citizens that with the high probability of grass fires during the dry season, they should desist from lighting any grass or garbage fires especially now, and use other methods of garbage disposal or land clearing.
“If these fires do occur, they should never be left unattended as they possess the potential to spread and become major fire emergencies. Report all fires as soon as they occur to the Fire Service via our toll-free number 912,” the GFS said.
It also provided tips, urging persons to avoid throwing cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of vehicles, but rather to dispose of them properly. It also urged persons to educate children about the dangers of playing with fire and to “keep a shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or other fire-suppression tools on hand”.
Government has always held the conviction that forests must be utilised for the socio-economic advancement of all Guyanese, but in a manner that is in keeping with respect for, and appreciation of the unparalleled environmental values of this renewable resource.
The management of the forests is outlined in Guyana’s revised Low Carbon Development Strategy, which saw the country becoming the first to receive a certification of over 33 million carbon credits by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) on December 1, 2022.
Guyana has signed a US$750 million deal with Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits, with 15 per cent of that money going directly to Indigenous communities. Last week, the Government received a four-year €5 million grant (approximately GY$1.1B) from the European Union (EU) for the sustainability of the country’s forests and forest-dependent communities.
While Guyana’s forests store approximately 90.5 gigatons of carbon, globally, trees and soil store in excess of 13 billion tonnes of carbon. (G3)
