Guyana has turned attention to the comprehensive management of its natural resources, a key element of which is land use planning of those geographic areas where our natural resources lie. In this regard significant progress has been made in some fundamental land use tasks.

1. A land use baseline report has been prepared. This report assembles all of the land use legislation, institutions and processes; identifies the land use issues and makes recommendations for the implementation of land use planning in Guyana. The report benefitted from country wide local consultations at the community level.

2. A National Land Use Plan has been developed.

3. A map of existing land uses and a land use classification system has been prepared at the national level.

4. A geographical information system has been installed; training has been given to key personnel and a data base is being created, this database will be the basis for national decision making in land use matters.

5. A pilot regional land use plan is being initiated. This pilot study will serve as a model for the planning of other regions.

Much work remains to be done in the following areas:-

1. Resource valuation

2. Land evaluation

3. Soil mapping at the district and local levels

4. Institutional capacity for land use planning

5. Legislative reform for natural resource management

A key concept in sustainable land use planning is the interrelatedness of resource utilization. One cannot consider forestry without the people who live in the forests, nor can we talk about water pollution in isolation from economic activities that pollute the water, or about watershed management without hydropower development. Accepting the global nature of sustainable development and the need for a comprehensive focus, it is our contention that in the area of natural resources management, sustainable land use planning should not only be a key consideration, but also an essential one.

Since 1992 the GFC has rehabilitated twelve of eighteen forest stations, established four new stations and forecast the establishment of four additional stations for 1997-98.

A Code of Practice for responsible forest management was worked out with the Forest Producers Association of Guyana during two years of consultation and was introduced to the industry for voluntary adoption in July 1996. The GFC and the EPA are working together to ensure its full acceptance by industry.

According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization the annual rate of deforestation in Guyana is negligible at less than 1%. The GFC has stepped up its programme to monitor deforestation and other activities in the state forests while examining measures to combat unacceptable practices.

There are no reforestation programmes in Guyana because selective logging activities have made little impact on forest canopy. Natural regeneration of the species composition is currently encouraged.

Local forests still supply all the domestic demands for timber and there is no evidence of any scarcity. There are not any major wood using industries at this time to justify the establishment of plantations.

The GFC has withdrawn from influencing the trade in timber products. This is in keeping with Government Policy to encourage the forces of supply and demand to evolve the policing mechanisms in the market place.

The Commission has successfully introduced improved systems to ensure better collection of forest revenue and in 1996 the Government approved increases in Royalty and Acreage Fees to logging and Sawmill Operations.

The International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa was ratified on 26 June 1997.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

No additional information.

Agriculture is the single most important sector of Guyana's economy both in terms of foreign exchange generation and the number of people employed. In 1995, agriculture and fisheries contributed about 38% of GDP and 43% of foreign exchange earning.

Another important role of the agricultural sector can also be seen for the fact that approximately 70% percent of Guyana's population lives in rural household and is primarily dependent on the income from agriculture and related activities.

Under the Agricultural sector loan, sponsored by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), Government has taken actions on key agricultural policies, in order to meet basic objectives of consolidation of commodity trade liberalization and extending the benefits of the adjustment process to key agricultural markets. This programme focused on:

(I) adjusting the legal-institutional framework and trade regime for the rice industry;

(II) centralizing policy and decentralizing/divesting operations in agricultural water resources; and

(III) developing agricultural land markets.

In December 1994 the Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement with IICA whereby the latter would administer G $17 million and provide technical assistance for the management of an integrated rural development project with three basic sub-components:

(a) the development of a sustainable community agro-forestry project at Tapakuma;

(b) the partial rehabilitation of four government plant nurseries, and

(c) the strengthening of community capabilities to manage and maintain drainage and irrigation facilities at Mocha/Arcadia, Region 4.

At Tapakuma, 50 acres of cleared forest land are being developed into sustainable agro-forestry enterprises. Research and development work are executed under community control.

In the case of Mocha/Arcadia, efforts have gone into strengthening a small association of vegetable and food crops farmers, developing their managerial skills and providing guidance in their accessing of D & I services from public and private sectors.

Government has clearly placed top priority on the rehabilitation of rural infrastructures - drainage and irrigation, sea defence, roads. In addition to other social infrastructure, water rural schools, health clinics, etc., all of which serve to improve the attractiveness of agriculture and rural life in general.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified on 29 August 1994.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was ratified on 25 May 1977.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Guyana has developed a National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Guyana's Biological Diversity through the process of a series of national consultations. The Strategy identifies some key actions under the various subheadings, and will lead to the development of an Action Plan. Plans have already been initiated for the development of the latter. A National Biodiversity Advisory Committee meets under the aegis of the Environmental Protection Agency, to which it reports. This Committee works through a number of ad-hoc Groups and Working Groups.

The national forest policy is being redrafted and incorporates the conservation of forest biological diversity as a major element. This policy will lead to new legislation that will aim to achieve sustainable forest resources management in Guyana. Included in this policy are mangrove forest resources.

A new fisheries' policy is being drafted which seeks in part, to promote the conservation of fisheries resources. A draft fisheries management plan has been completed with assistance from CIDA. Work on Data Collection and analysis has begun through the CFRAMP regime fisheries project.

The Draft National Development Strategy has been completed. This strategy seeks to promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the country, including the biological resources of various sectors. In addition a Public Education and Awareness Programme based on a satellite network is targeting various audiences in various parts of the country. Its emphasis is on the environment, sustainable development and biodiversity.

Biological impact assessments are required as part of Environmental Impact Assessments for all projects that are likely to have an impact on the environment. These impact assessments are required, by law, to address the impact of planned activities on biological diversity. Guyana continues the process of identification of the components of biological diversity, particularly at the species level, as part of the activities of the Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity in collaboration with the University of Guyana.

Among the activities in the area of ex situ conservation has been work on the establishment of a National Biodiversity Park. This park seeks, among other things, to promote the ex situ conservation of biological diversity. A national working committee has been established to work on this project. Assistance is being provided through a working arrangement with associates of the San Diego Zoo,

USA.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was ratified in 1993.

Although the Government, in 1993, ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, Guyana has not capitalized on its rights and privileges under the Convention as the country lacks the institutional capability to provide the monitoring, control, and surveillance necessary and the resource assessment capability. These are necessary to protect diligently its marine resources from over exploitation through proper conservation and management measures.

The Fishery sector is of critical importance to the economy and to the social well being in Guyana. The economic contribution of the fisheries sector has grown over the years. In 1996 the government drafted a new Fisheries policy which seeks to promote the conservation of fishery resources. A draft Fisheries Management Plan has been developed in which action for fisheries development has been identified.

Most of the freshwater requirement in the "land of many waters" are met through seasonal rainfall, conservancies or aquifers. However, there is a question of the quality of this water. There is also need for improved and continued water quality monitoring. Since the surface flows are through the plains and sedimentary zones, the water is turbid attracting high treatment cost. Therefore most of the country's demand for domestic water use is being met from groundwater. As the recharging conditions are favourable and the demand is not much, the possibility of sea water intrusion into the aquifers may not be there. However, this needs to be investigated.

The Guyana Water Authority with the aid of IDA, ODA, CDB etc. has embarked on "The Water Supply Technical Assistance and Rehabilitation Programme." 117 new pumps are programmed to be installed by mid 1998 and 48 are already done so far. These minor systems when fully rehabilitated assure sufficient quantity of water supply in the country. There are considerable leaks in the distribution system which are also being replaced with the new pipe laying to utilize the water extracted by the new pumps optionally to the community.

Thus it is envisaged by year 2000 GUYWA would have a designed, initiated and targeted national action programme at an advanced stage with appropriate institutional structures and legal instruments.

To this end, states of the Caribbean Basin have developed a proposal which is expected to become the Work Plan by which the measures in the convention are implemented. Foremost in the proposal which was submitted to the CARICOM Heads of Government was the request for member states to speedily ratify the Basel Convention.

At present there is no data on the generation of hazardous waste and Guyana does not have the capacity to dispose of hazardous waste. There is the need for inventorising hazardous waste production, distribution, management and use. However, provisions under the Environmental Protection Act shall help to regulate hazardous waste issues in order to meet the requirements of Agenda 21 .

Presently Solid Waste disposal activities are undertaken without a full appreciation of the impact of these activities on human health and the environment. Disposal of collected waste is of tremendous concern in the city. Most available land adjacent to the city is either privately owned or earmarked for housing. The master plan for the city does not make provisions for sanitary landfill activities.

The Ministry of Local Government which has the responsibility for Local Town Councils has a proposal to develop a Solid Waste Management Plan. This plan will focus on:

- solid waste collection in an environmentally sound manner;

- solid waste disposal into a secure landfill and;

- management of the secure landfill.

At present work is-being done to establish a new landfill site.

In the rural areas solid waste is collected by the household and is burnt. Septic tanks and pit latrines are commonly used for sewage disposal. The septic tank and pit latrines are approved by the regional Environmental Health Officer.

Our only City, Georgetown, is the only area in Guyana served by a communal sewage system which discharges to the Dimerara River. Currently however, there is no treatment of sewage before discharge.

Guyana recognizes the need to concentrate on more efficient and environmentally sound ways of disposing solid waste. The Environmental Protection Act will helpo to ensure that requirements of chapter 21 of Agenda 21 are carried out.

A project is being drafted to regulate the use of ionizing radiation in Guyana with the additional aim of making employers, employees and other users aware of the risks associated with ionizing radiation. This second draft should ideally be done prior to the development of regulations, but unfortunately, the urgency to develop these regulations is as a result of the mining industry. However, a background radiation survey needs to be done.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: No information

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: No information

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No information

No information

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY: No information

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

b) Increasing public awareness

c) Promoting training

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: No information

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: No information