While the local authorities continue to keep an eye on the spread of the Coronavirus and pursue efforts for immunization, the business community seems determined to ensure 2021 is the year of recovery for the nation. Thus far, 47 applications have been sent to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) for permission to pursue logging operations along the Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara Rivers.
In a notice seen by Guyana Standard, the EPA said that these projects do not require an Environmental Impact Assessment as it has been determined that they will not significantly affect human health or the environs for the ventures proposed.
It was further noted that the public has up to 30 days from February 7, last, to file any objections to the projects with the EPA. If no complaints are had, approval would be granted forthwith. Additional information on these projects can be found on the EPA’s website.
Last year, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat had bemoaned the awful state of the forestry as he contended that its earnings had declined by more than 30 percent. The Minister had said that this became evident following his assessment of the industry’s performance upon assuming his new position in August 2020. Bharrat said it is clear that the APNU/AFC administration had disregarded this sector, thus leaving many forestry associations and hinterland communities crippled.
Minister Bharat also noted that this crippling effect gripped the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) which was without the financial resources to pay more than 400 workers.
The Minister has since revealed that plans have been put in place to enhancing monitoring of the sector with a particular emphasis on weeding out corruption and illegal logging.
