The Ministry of Natural Resources through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) will this year embark on a land reclamation programme to regrow 200,000 hectares of forests.
According to Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded forests will provide an avenue to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to deforestation in mining and the extractive industry sector.
Against this backdrop, he said the government in budget 2023 will invest GY$300M to support initiatives such as carbon sequestration, which are proven to enhance biodiversity in wildlife habitats, and increase soil fertility.
Bharrat was also keen to note that his ministry has taken a holistic approach to manage the natural resources sector.
He said, “Achieving the manifesto promises of establishing an equitable, transparent, safe, prosperous and sustainable forestry sector has seen the Ministry fostering interagency collaboration. Further, the ministry has advanced discussions with the senior management of each agency, committing to transparency and accountability with each stakeholder.”
Bharrat said this promotion of interagency cooperation is the first step in achieving the aftermentioned manifesto promises and ensures the greater standing of each respective agency.
