As we celebrate International Day of Forests today, March 21st , under the theme “Forest and Health”, which emphasises the close links between healthy forests and human well-being on our planet. For Guyana, forests are not only a source of economic and ecological value but also play a vital role in supporting public health and livelihoods for many communities. Our forests are also home to countless species of flora and fauna and play a critical role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Trees and other vegetation in forests provide a range of ecosystem services, including clean air, water, food, and medicine, which are essential for human health and well-being. Forests also play a critical role in supporting sustainable development and reducing poverty in many parts of the world including here in Guyana.
The forest sector in Guyana provides jobs and income for many communities, resources such as timber, non-timber forest products are important to the income of men, women and communities as a whole.
As we continue to work towards restoring and protecting our forests, we must recognize in particular the critical role that our indigenous peoples have played throughout history. We must recognise the ongoing importance of communities and local forest managers who have been stewards of these precious ecosystems for generations.
At the same time, forests are also vulnerable to a range of threats, including deforestation, degradation, and climate change. The impact of climate change on forests cannot be ignored. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events have already begun to take a toll on forests, leading to increased frequency and severity of forest fires, droughts, and insect outbreaks in many parts of the world. These disturbances not only affect the health and productivity of forests but also have a cascading effect on the broader ecosystem and human societies that rely on them.
By maintaining our forests, we can avoid and mitigate some of the worst impacts of climate change through the reduction of carbon émissions, preservation of biodiversity, and ensuring the resilience of our ecosystems. Though many of these benefits are under increased threat from rapid mining and insufficient coherence in our national approach.
Recently, with the new extractive industry we have seen mangroves forest being destroyed and as traditional mining expands, there is still no proper reforestation plan in place. We are pushing the Frontier of forest destruction and we should be mindful of the consequences.
These threats not only undermine the ecological health of our forests but also pose risks to public health by compromising access to critical ecosystem services. By promoting sustainable forest management practices and investing in forest restoration efforts, we can ensure that our forests continue to provide essential ecosystem services for human health and well-being.
The sustainable livelihoods that our forests generate should be increased and nurtured through a policy framework and an enabling environment based on meaningful and effective participation of indigenous and other local communities.
Financially, over the years we have seen the benefit of the forests without clear cutting and as a result of our sustainable forest management. I wish here and now to acknowledge the work and commitment of the Guyana Forestry Commission staff and board.
Guyana has recently obtained considerable amounts of money through the multilateral Global Climate Fund, we have committed some US$700 million plus from carbon credits and more recently over GUY$5 billion from the European Union. The task of rewarding standing forests globally. But forests in themselves will not stop the climate crisis. We must all reduce our greenhouse gases.
As a sitting Member of Parliament I cannot overemphasise the absurdity of having the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee in Parliament not functioning. As Guyanese say “you can’t speak through both sides of your mouth”’. If indeed we are to fulfill our national and international commitments, we must engage all elected officials. Natural resources are not the purview only of government….all Guyanese have a role and must be enabled to do so.
As we celebrate this year’s theme of “Forest and Health”, let us renew our commitment to safeguarding our forests and promoting sustainable forest management practices. By doing so, we can ensure that our forests continue to provide vital ecosystem services that support human health and well-being for generations to come.
“I intend to plant a tree under whose shade I do not expect sit” ..should be a popular refrain.
