Forest Zonation Paper-Summary and Recommendations

Competing land-uses result from the critical need for Guyana to optimise the use of all its natural resources in the thrust for national development. The management of competing land-uses in State forests is a major challenge because these forested lands occupy a very large proportion of Guyana. At present, there are a number of land-uses occurring within this large area. One way of accommodating and managing such competing land-uses is to identify those parcels of the forest estate that are best suited for each land-use.
 

The National Forest Policy Statement of 1997 and the draft National Forest Plan of 2001 prescribe the zonation and the classification of State forests. The process involves two stages. First, the land area to be alienated predominantly for long-term forestry development within State forests is identified. Second, all land within State forests is classified in accordance with their potential. This paper suggests major forest zones and establishes four forest classes. In addition, these strategic categories are translated into four operational classes.

The paper recommends areas that should have restricted commercial timber operations, based upon other over-riding forest values. In addition, it recommends an immediate restriction on further new investments based on commercial timber production due to the lack of alienable lands. Two strategic forest reserves are promoted. To conserve Guyana's environmental heritage while addressing other land-uses, this paper recommends multiple use approaches for forestry and mining in selected classes of forests. Recommendations are also made in respect of lands used by Amerindian communities in State forests.

Economic inputs are required to ensure that the proposed zones are aligned with broader land-use considerations. Finally, the support of all stakeholders in the natural resources sector is required if the zonation process is to be formalized and be made meaningful.

Summary of Recommendations

Recommendation 1: The total area of unalienated State forests is 6.69      million hectares and therefore no major investments based only on commercial timber stocks should be encouraged. Available lands in areas designated as production forests should be conserved for existing enterprises that have been meeting GFC's requirements.

Recommendation 2: GFC should promote the use of portable sawmills in pristine areas greater than 3,000 hectares.  Portable sawmills will optimise the conversion of the estimated 30, 000 m³ timber in such an area while minimising environmental impacts.

Recommendation 3: GFC should restrict the harvesting of round wood spars in pristine forests. Round wood spars are essentially pole sized trees that comprise the growing stock and the long term timber stock. The harvesting of spars also alter significantly the temperature, humidity and wind-flow in the under storey with grave consequences for the regeneration of important commercial species.

Recommendation 4. Each parcel of logged-over forests being issued to a new applicant should be assessed using GFC's Rapid Appraisal Procedures to determine whether actual stocking meets the logger's requirements.

Recommendation 5. Concessions (including State Forest Permissions) should be issued only for areas with a mean basal area of 15 m²/hectare (considering trees greater than 10 cm).

Recommendation 6. Areas that meet the criteria set out in section 5.1 should be designated restricted or prohibited at the level of concessions. (See Recommendation 8)

Recommendation 7. With respect to Biodiversity reserves within areas allocated for concessions, the GFC should identify such biodiversity reserves and any corridors required.

Recommendation 8. Subject to Recommendation 5 and 6, GFC should not insist on a Biodiversity Reserve in each concession.

Recommendation 9. Any Biodiversity Reserve falling within a concession should be considered a Reserve of that concession, and in the designation of the concession (signposting) the number of the concession should be stated. 

Recommendation 10. GFC should consider granting an IUCN Management Category to all protected areas to help preserve or guarantee their integrity.  

Recommendation 11. In the promotion of an IUCN management category for any protected area made by virtue of the Forests Act, Cap. 67:01, GFC should consult with the EPA, GGMC, GLSC and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Recommendation 12. GFC should publicise the establishment of any protected area and invite comments on the decision.  

Recommendation 13. It is recommended that areas identified as conversion forests in Appendix VI be managed immediately as conversion forests.

Recommendation 14. It is recommended that chainsaws and portable mills be used without restriction in Conversion Forests.  

Recommendation 15. As far as possible, The GFC should restrict the harvesting of round wood spars, fuel-wood and charcoal to conversion forests.  

Recommendation 16. The GFC should work with other agencies for multiple resource use objectives in conversion forests; in particular, GFC should cede the management of such areas to the agency that is associated with the dominant use of the area. For example, the forests that fall within the INSAP area should be managed by INSAP.  

Recommendation 17. The GFC should support and promote the development of the environmental regulations developed by the GGMC and the EPA.

Recommendation 18. The GFC, the GGMC and the EPA should explore and promote mining technologies that have minimal impact on forest ecosystems.

Recommendation 19. The GFC should make public, all major decisions on State forests, including forest reserves and other protected areas, and the rationale for the decision made in each case.

Recommendation 20. GFC should support socio-economic surveys on Amerindian uses of the forests they own.  

Recommendation 21. GFC should support a review of Amerindian legislation to ensure alignment with the National Forest Policy Statement.  

Recommendation 22. GFC should consult the CHPA to ensure compatibility between the developmental plans of that agency and strategic objectives of the GFC.  

Recommendation 23. The GFC should support the demarcation of titled Amerindian lands.  

Recommendation 24. GFC should formalise consultation mechanisms with recognised Amerindian representatives.