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Improve infrastructure and capacity for monitoring and community development within Iwokrama Forest

Key Biodiversity Area Terrestrial Protected Area Key Landscape for Conservation

Management effectiveness Governance Livelihoods

Indigenous People Youth Women

Protected Area Management Effectiveness Awareness/Education Capacity Building

98,636.64 EUR Guyana; Caribbean December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022

Protected and conserved area(s) concerned

Iwokrama Forest

The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed

•Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations;

•Enforce the legal framework required to achieve effective biodiversity conservation in PAs;

•Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas management.

Priority need addressed

This project will strengthen Iwokrama’s monitoring and enforcement capacity while supporting community livelihoods through business development training. Additionally, the project will focus on enhancing community youth capacity through educational activities and equipment support as well as increasing awareness of natural resource legislation for relevant agencies and North Rupununi communities.

Project activities

This project will seek to enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations through the improvement of key infrastructures within Iwokrama Forest including rehabilitating the 2 Ranger Stations. It will also focus on strengthening monitoring and enforcement in Iwokrama by equipping the Iwokrama monitoring unit with relevant tools such as a boat and engine, and personal protective equipment including life jackets, and other supplementary equipment such as spot-lights and binoculars to help monitor illegal activities within Iwokrama and its surrounding borders. Additionally the project will also improve capacity between Iwokrama and Fair View by including village members or representatives in monitoring activities and support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas management. Finally, it will support Fair View and North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) wildlife clubs by purchasing equipment e.g. bird field guides, binoculars, posters and other educational media along with youth engagement activities and provide support to Fair View villagers in implementing projects involving sustainable use of resources such as business development. This project will engage consultants who, for each protected area, will:

The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)

Iwokrama aims to improve key infrastructures (Ranger Stations 1 and 2) that serve as barriers to the two main access points in Iwokrama. These two Ranger Stations are strategically located on the northern and southern borders of a 72km road corridor found within the Iwokrama Forest. The project aims to enhance monitoring efforts within Iwokrama, and especially increase monitoring patrols along the rivers where the most prominent illegal activities (illegal mining and hunting) occur. Iwokrama also aims to support Fair View in monitoring their village lands and natural resources through collaborative monitoring efforts. A representative from the village will accompany rangers during monitoring patrols to improve capacity between Iwokrama and Fair View Village.

Iwokrama’s goal is to support Fair View village in their projects and initiatives by providing the villagers with necessary skills in business development planning. Ultimately, we hope that that Fair View Village is able to implement community projects with the skill and knowledge to further develop their community. Fair View youth capacity will also be increased with activities and equipment support.

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Improve infrastructure and capacity for monitoring and community development within Iwokrama Forest

Protected and conserved area(s) concerned

The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed

Priority need addressed

Project activities

The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)

Implementing organisations

Photo credits: © Iwokrama International Centre

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