A Sustainable Management Model in the Iwokrama Rain Forest

Guyana

The Parliament of Guyana recently passed legislation to create the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development as an autonomous institution and set aside 360,000 hectares of pristine forest (half of which is to be a wilderness preserve) to be managed by Iwokrama. The project has employed participatory approaches to establish the wilderness preserve and is designing, planning and initiating the commercial management of the other half of the Iwokrama Forest for multiple products and services. It is also working to integrate research, training and demonstrations into these operations, in order to improve practices in Guyana and elsewhere. The project is helping Iwokrama to produce a state-of-the-art forest management plan for multiple products and services, and feasibility studies for management and harvest based on this plan. It is also assisting in finding an appropriate business partner and negotiating contracts that will ensure adherence to principles of sustainable forest management. Demonstration, research and training in improved practices will be integrated into these model commercial operations.