The European Union (EU), through a decision to invest €25m into its Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, has extended a wildlife and sustainability project in Guyana for another three years.
In a release the EU noted the SWM Programme is a joint initiative of the biodiversity institute CIFOR-ICRAF, CIRAD, World Conservation Society (WCS) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), funded by the EU. The programme’s overarching aim is to ensure a sustainable future for wildlife across the world, while still supporting indigenous communities to maintain access to food in a safe and secure way.
In working directly with indigenous communities, the programme also aims to reduce the likelihood of zoonotic diseases – a factor which has increased in importance since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as significant outbreaks of avian flu – while safeguarding the wild meat trade which is often a crucial source of both income and sustenance.
CIFOR-ICRAF – a leading research and development organization in trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes – has led the implementation of the SWM Programme in Guyana and Zambia to date and is thrilled to confirm the project will now continue to run from August 2023 to July 2026, expanding its work to include Cameroon.
To date, the project in Guyana has achieved significant, positive results. Highlights include:
- 10 communities in North Rupununi have developed and started implementing the first inland fisheries co-management plan in Guyana
- 21 communities in South Rupununi have developed and implemented the Wapichan Wiizi Wildlife management plan, which functions as a general 10-year framework to manage “water animals, “terrestrial animals”, and “flying animals” that are important for the Wapichan culture. Hundreds of local people have been trained in wildlife management; supporting animals like turtles, anteaters, fish, and more.
- 3 communities have engaged in turtle conservation and management activities along the Rupununi River, in turn creating a domino effect whereby 26 communities have agreed to work towards the implementation of a Regional Turtle management plan. A turtle festival is organized in the Spring and also supports tourism in the region
- Over 2,000 children have been trained in environmental education in 12 communities from South Rupunun
- Support for the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) has ensured the supply of more than 85,000 chicks and 300,000 kgs of chicken feed in the region, supporting local food security and reducing reliance on wildlife.
CIFOR-ICRAF hopes that, in light of the EU’s latest funding commitment, it can continue to grow the project’s positive impact through invaluable collaboration of local and Indigenous communities and in-country partners.
Robert Nasi, Chief Operating Officer of CIFOR-ICRAF, said:
“We are thrilled the EU has decided to invest further in the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme as we have seen first-hand its hugely positive impact in countries like Guyana. Faced with immense challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change and the threat of zoonotic diseases, it has never been more important for local and Indigenous communities to build leadership capacity and knowledge in environmental education and conservation. Through the SWM Programme, we have worked together with 1,000s of local people in Guyana to put in place structures which will support them for generations to come. We are therefore excited to continue this important work.”
