Dear Editor,
‘Flora and fauna’ and I think Guyana. The country is so exotic and this should be used for boosting tourism. Well, I am sensing that this is happening. I have just read that the Tourism Ministry launched a checklist of ‘Birds of Essequibo’.
The ceremony was held at the ministry’s South Road office. I am very happy about this. I am hoping that a similar kind of launch can be done for other categories, namely flower and then fishes.
At the launch was Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh, who revealed that the booklet highlights the many species of bird found in Guyana and their locations. The birding checklist was researched and produced by founder of the Guyana Amazon Tropical Birds Society Andy Narine.
Let me make a few comments on one aspect of birds which are found in Guyana. I think of the macaw and how magnificent this avian creature is. I once saw one and I was stunned. It was identical colour wise to the flag of Guyana. I could hardly believe my eyes. This creature should have been filmed or photographed. I mean all five colours (red, yellow, black, white, green) were on this bird and none other. Quite amazing!
So I think that a photo exhibition should be constantly held. In fact, since our zoo is so difficult to maintain, maybe it should be turned into a specialised gallery, and various categories of animals can be placed in different parts of Guyana. This sounds a bit far- fetched, but it can be a reality. What I have in mind (and will do if I have the money) is to say for example, have a bird park or a fish pond (glass one right?). I can even have a spot for canines and another for felines, bovines etc, but not in one location. In this way, I spread tourism and I cater for people’s peculiarities.
As a caveat, safety for everyone must be assured as well as care for the animals.
With these two covered, all I have to do is to add entertainment and recreation (shaded areas, a pool, bar etc) My God! What a dream! Listen, this can work. Guyana has the land mass.
Upkeep will come from private companies that can adopt various centres and by the income garnered at these centres. I am sure that this can work. Anyway, getting back to the ‘birding checklist’, it was pointed out that Guyana is truly a birding hotspot, it being home to over 900 species of birds from 72 different families.
This really surprised me, but in a pleasing way. This says to me that we have something good to work with. In fact this has started already, seeing that the country’s birding potential has been promoted by over 40 international tour companies, which are actively selling Destination Guyana.
I just love it and many are catching on – bird watching. The statistics show that bird- watching continues to be one of the fastest growing segments in ecotourism in Guyana. This came out at the recently held 24th British Bird-watching Fair, where Guyana’s tourism potential was highlighted.
What was good to note too is the fact that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK injects annually over £ 500 for the continuation of bird-watching as a sport. Guyana scores high as several companies continue to place spotlight on our birding potential, including Limosa, Wild Wing, Avian Adventure, Wildlife and Wilderness, Clipper Cruise Line, Tropical Birding, Neo Tropical Journey, Bird Quest and Rhatock Jumper.
Editor, I take leave from this matter now. I have said quite a lot, but I must reiterate that Guyana can and should capitalise on its richness in wild life. I am hoping that the many will flock to my ideas, where local and international tourism are concerned.
Yours truly,
Rishi Ramlall
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