Amid an upsurge in requests to access its forests, the Iwokrama International Centre has made it clear that there will be no access permitted through the Iwokrama Forests to any mining or forestry lands.

In a statement, the Centre said “absolutely no mining” is allowed in the Iwokrama Reserve.

Logging, hunting and fishing are all prohibited in the Iwokrama Forests, unless permission is granted by the Centre’s management team.    

The Iwokrama International Centre issued the stern reminder on Wednesday as it expressed growing concern about the increasing number of requests to access other areas through the Iwokrama Forest. 

It said a number of villages in North Rupununi have also complained about the situation. 

“These requests are against the background that forest has been faced with illegal mining since the COVID-19 pandemic and the centre is challenged with these illegal incursions,” the Centre said. 

It noted that some of the requests have been disguised as “research” proposals.

The Centre said it is important for the public to know that it has “zero tolerance” for the illegal activities as they are disruptive and threaten the integrity of the forests and its coveted international certification. 

“Any unauthorized persons found in the Iwokrama Forest will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law including but not limited to the provisions of the Iwokrama Act,” the centre warned. 

It is also used the opportunity to thank its community partners and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Police Force for their continuous support. 

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