Guyana

Our work

In the Rupununi region, fish and wildlife are an integral part of the indigenous culture and diet. Hunting is mostly practised for subsistence purposes. The Rupununi region does not contribute to the vibrant trade in wild meat on the coast of Guyana given the long distances and poor roads. However, threats to the Rupununi’s rich biodiversity are increasing as the area becomes more accessible and new economic activities take off. The SWM Programme in Guyana is encouraging coordinated community-driven initiatives that support food security and traditional livelihoods. These will contribute to maintaining healthy fish and terrestrial wildlife populations.

Who we work with

The SWM Programme in Guyana is actively working with 24 communities. Field activities are being implemented by the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, in partnership with six local grass root organisations (South Rupununi Conservation Society, Visit Rupununi, Rupununi Livestock Producers Association, South Rupununi District Council, North Rupununi District Development Board, Caiman House) and in coordination with CIFOR-ICRAF.


The Challenge
Output1

Output 1: Community rights and governance

A legal profile for Guyana was published on the Legal Hub following the analysis of 236 legal texts. The team also examined customary laws related to wildlife use in the Rupununi. Additionally, the SWM Programme contributed to the development of the National Inland Fisheries Policy and amendments to the Fisheries Act and the Aquaculture Bill. The team ensured wide participation of stakeholders from the Rupununi. One of the major achievements has been enhancing the capacities and skills of local institutions involved in wildlife management.

Output2

Output 2: Adaptive wildlife management

The team supported the development of three regional management plans.  

  • North Rupununi Wetlands Fisheries Co-Management Plan: The Plan was created for ten riverine villages in North Rupununi to manage fishing activities in over 386 km of rivers and about 2 801 km2 of rivers, ponds and lakes.
  • Wapichan Wiizi Wildlife Management Plan: This Plan covers 28 632 km2 of customary land and involves 21 communities in the South Rupununi. It facilitated the consolidation of the Wapichan Wiizi Wildlife Management committee and village-level wildlife committees.
  • Regional River Turtle Management Plan: This Plan involves 15 villages along the Rupununi River that rely on aquatic species for their livelihoods and cultural identity. The aim is to recover the populations of six river turtle species.
Output3

Output 3: Healthy and sustainable supply chains and consumption

The team analysed the wild meat trade value chain and set up a monitoring system in coastal Guyana, the main consumption hub. The SWM Programme launched several behaviour change campaigns:   
  • Keep the Rupununi wild”: Promotes Rupununi as a wildlife-friendly region and aims to prevent unsustainable hunting, particularly by coastal visitors.
  • Local meat you can’t beat”: Encourages the production and consumption of local meat in the Rupununi as an alternative to wild meat and imported meat.
  • Wildmeat is the sweetest meat: buy if legal”: Encourages compliance with wildlife regulations among wild meat traders and aims to reduce demand for very vulnerable species by urban consumers.
Output4

Output 4: Zoonotic risk prevention and management

The SWM Programme facilitated the creation of a multisectoral working group on zoonotic diseases related to wildlife, hosted by the National One Health (OH) platform from the Ministry of Health. This group supports the development of protocols and regulations for food safety in wild meat. It includes ten government institutions and eight representatives from civil society and Indigenous communities. A national process was organized to prioritise key zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife.

Guyana Legal Hub

Country legal hubs are a user-friendly point of access to a comprehensive set of data and analysis on the statutory legal frameworks relating to sustainable wildlife management.

Publications

Videos

The Wildlife Clubs of North Rupununi, Guyana
12/06/2023

Giant river otters, anteaters and red siskins are some of the incredible animals found in the North Rupununi. This video presents the work of six...

Sustainable wildlife management in the Rupununi, Guyana
20/11/2020

Fish and wildlife are an integral part of the indigenous culture and diet in the Rupununi region of Guyana, which borders Brazil and Venezuela. However,...

Vivian – A Guyanese fisherman and wildlife guide
04/07/2019

Vivian is a fisherman and wildlife conservationist living in the Rupununi. Fish and wildlife are an integral part of the indigenous culture and diet...

Asaph – A Guyanese hunter and wildlife conservationist
12/02/2019

Asaph is a traditional hunter and wildlife conservationist living in the Rupununi. Fish and wildlife are an integral part of the indigenous culture...

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Consortium partners

ACP logo     European Union logo     FFEM logo  AFD logo  
FAO logo       CIFOR-ICRAF logo           WCS logo

 

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