IWOKRAMA
THE
GREEN HEART OF GUYANA
Iwokrama is an autonomous international research and development center that aims to promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rains forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic, and social benefits to the people of Guyana and the world in general. The center seeks to meet its mandate by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies.
If flora and fauna are Guyana’s true riches, then the Iwokrama Forest
would be its El Dorado. Occupying approximately two percent of Guyana’s landmass, the forest
is the country’s largest protected area and geographically situated in the
green heart of Guyana.
The reserve, and the adjacent North Rupununi wetlands, together,
represent an area of worldwide importance in many aspects. The Iwokrama forest
plays host to a global, ten-year-old experiment in sustainable rainforest
development. This concept was first presented to the international community in
1989 and was envisioned as a demonstration site for the effective conservation
and sustainable use of tropical rainforests.
The Iwokrama Forest has two zones: a wilderness preserve, and a
sustainable utilization area. The latter allows for sustainable use activities,
conservation and evaluation of the impacts of such activities in an intact
rainforest.
Iwokrama is managed by the Iwokrama International Center, which has
worked since 1996 to develop pioneering methods for conservation and development.
Since its inception, the center has also worked closely with local communities
in order to develop community-based “green” businesses. This has included
the harvesting of aquarium fish, the production of honey and crabwood oil and
the sale of locally-made indigenous crafts. The organization is also in
partnership with local communities with the aim of developing and promoting the
area’s potential as a leading ecotourism destination. A key feature in this
development is the fact that Iwokrama has one of the South America’s few
canopy walkways that is dedicated to tourism. At thirty meters high, the walkway
gives visitors an unparalleled view of the rainforest canopy and its abundant
wildlife.
The Iwokrama Forest is home to unique varieties of flora and fauna, many
of which are only found in this part of the world. The area is also one of only
two sites in South America where the river systems of the Amazon and Guyana
shield merge. This occurs in the flooded savannahs of North Rupununi and, as a
result, the area is blessed with not only Guyanese species, but also remnant
populations of Amazonian “giants” such as the arapaima (the world’s
largest, scaled freshwater fish), giant river turtles, black caiman and giant
otters. The reserve is also considered to have one of the highest recorded
densities of jaguar and bat species in the world.
Iwokrama also has special meaning to the local Makushi people – the
area’s original inhabitants. The mountains feature prominently in local myths
and legends and are said to be the home of great deities and spirits.
Historically, rainforests and mountains were also used as a place of refuge from
warring Caribs and European slave traders. Today, the Iwokrama Forest represents
an important resource area for the survival of the region’s sixteen Makushi
communities.
The importance of Iwokrama is unquestionable, whether from the perspective of the smallest North Rupununi village or the larger global community. The center marked its 10th anniversary in 2006, and continues to be at the leading edge of sustainable development and management of one of the world’s few remaining rainforests. Iwokrama is, therefore, more than just Guyana’s El Dorado, it is the nation’s gift to the world.
2007 - Embassy of Guyana/ All Rights Reserved
