CI president supports Guyana’s World Heritage Site bid

TIMES INT'L

Conservation International President Russell Mittermeier on Friday met with President Donald Ramotar to discuss the country’s prospect as a World Heritage Site, just a few hours before attending the launch of the Conservation International Trust Fund.
He believes there is enough evidence to support the case for Guyana to gain recognition in this regard; pointing out that Georgetown has a repertoire of historical buildings and other artefacts.

President Donald Ramotar greets Conservation International President Russell Mittermeier

Many of these sites have been commissioned with interpretative heritage markers erected by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry to create education and awareness about their importance and symbolism. Up to May last year, 30 of these markers were erected near historic monuments, buildings and other sites.
Mittermeier also made reference to the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single drop falls, the Kanuku Mountains, Shell Beach, Iwokrama and other ecosystems resources that are now within the ambit of protected areas, as he spoke of Guyana’s potential.
The passage of legislation last year paved the way for the Kanuku Mountains and Shell Beach to be included on the list of protected areas, and the CI Trust Fund seeks to supplement long-term viability of these areas.
The fund will start off with a budget of US$ 8 million and Mittermeier is hopeful that the allocation will shore-up to US$ 30 million to sufficiently cover the cost of sustaining protected areas.
CI’s president has been on record hailing the advocacy role former President Bharrat Jagdeo has been playing in the fight to save the earth from the ravages of climate change, and from his first interactions with incumbent President Ramotar at the Rio+ 20 conference, he is optimistic that the legacy will be perpetuated.
During a visit to Guyana in 2009, Mettermeier hailed Jagdeo “as a pioneer who over the past few years has become one of the global figures recognised for his commitment to the issue of ensuring that tropical forests are conserved”.

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