According to the Government, Amerindians now hold legal tenure for 16.48 per cent of Guyana’s landmass. Government said this is an achievement given that the Indigenous Peoples make up roughly around 10 per cent of the population.
The Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project is being credited for driving the achievement. The ALT programme aims to expedite the legal demarcation and titling of Amerindian lands, ensure clear ownership, and facilitate economic development within these communities, the government reported
With funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), government has increased the legal percentage of indigenous-owned lands from 6 per cent in 1991 to 16.48 per cent in 2024.
Project Coordinator for the ALT Programme, Monica Sharma, provided an update at the National Toshaos Council Conference (NTCC) held last Friday to about 254 leaders present.
According to Sharma the ALT Project, budgeted at US$13.2 million, is on track to issue 45 absolute grants and complete 68 demarcations, as the government is actively seeking an extension of the project to guarantee the fulfilment of these objectives, before the end of the year.
“While the project is technically set to end in 2024, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to completing this vital work and ensuring land ownership for Amerindian peoples,” Sharma affirmed.
Since 2020, the ALT project has issued 21 absolute grants to villages and completed 13 demarcations. In 2023 alone, 20 investigations led to six villages receiving approval for absolute grants.
Over 25,000 indigenous individuals have secured land ownership through the ALT Project since its inception, government reported.
The ALT project is said to empower the Amerindian communities to secure official recognition and legal ownership of their traditional lands and natural resources.
Through land tenure rights via titling and demarcation, the project aims to enhance the social and economic development prospects of Amerindian communities. This process is expected to bolster land tenure security and expand the asset base of Amerindians, enabling more effective long-term planning for sustainable development and well-being.
It is believed that with an understanding of their available resources, villagers are better equipped to plan for their future development, and can leverage the value of their land to attract additional funding.
The Amerindian Act (2006) mandates that Amerindian Titled Lands, be demarcated by the State, which is responsible for financing the process.
