Georgetown, GINA, January 19, 2004

The Guyana Forestry Commission is celebrating 25 years since its conversion from a Department to a Commission. In commemoration of this milestone, the Commission staged a Forestry walk and an official launching ceremony today when long serving employees were honoured.
Commissioner of Forests Mr. James Singh recalled the history of the commission and spoke of the hard work of dedicated pioneers who made sacrifices as the Commission progressed over the years.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock with responsibility for Forestry Mr. Satyadeow Sawh, at the ceremony, said, “The Guyana Forestry Commission has matured into an efficient and well structured agency.”
Minister Sawh noted that the GFC has made continuous progress during the last 25 years and contributes 4.5 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Commission provides employment for approximately 20,000 persons.
The Minister joined in extending gratitude to the pioneers of the Commission. The Commission was established by a Bill passed in Parliament in 1979, and assented to by the then President Arthur Chung.
The Commission has over the years implemented several programmes, including a Community Forestry Programme. This is funded by the GFC and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and seeks to empower local communities in the management of forest resources. This is achieved through extension services, which include assisting communities in conducting forest inventories and advising them on the formulation of annual and management plans of operation.
Last year, through the community forestry programme, the Ituni Small Loggers Association received a timber sales agreement. This is the first community to receive this. The North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) was also granted two state forest permissions and the GFC is presently assisting in training locals in this area.
The NRDDB represents approximately 14 communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
The community forestry programme is also working with the Upper Berbice Forestry Producers Association, the New Amsterdam Forestry Producers Association, and the Region 10 Forestry Producers Association.
Minister Sawh pointed out that the GFC is working to translate the guidelines into user-friendly language, since the present manual is not easy to understand. When this is completed, officers will visit the villages and educate residents.
The Guyana Forestry Commission is a semi-autonomous organization formed in 1979 as a successor to the Forestry Department, and is legally mandated to manage and control the use of the State’s forest, ensure an optimum and sustained yield of forest produce, and maintain improvement of the environment.
Awards were presented to 20 long standing employees. Persons presented with awards have served between 11 to 33 years. Employees presented a token of appreciation to Commissioner James Singh.
Meanwhile, the GFC will be holding other activities, including a panel discussion on GTV-11 this evening at 8:05pm. The GFC also planned a day of sports on Saturday and a live call in programme on GBC at a time to be announced later.