Grade Six Social Studies

What does the Iwokrama rainforest Programme do?

“Promotes the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic, and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, training and the development and dissemination of technologies.”

The Iwokrama Forest is a 3,716 square kilometres (1,435 square miles) nature reserve of central Guyana located in the heart of the Guiana Shield, one of the four last pristine tropical forests in the world (Congo, New Guinea, and the Amazon rainforest are the others). It represents an important transition zone in rainfall, landforms, human histories and biological communities.

At its widest, the area is 85 km (53 mi), and the greatest extent in a northsouth direction is 80 km (50 mi). The Georgetown–Lethem Road dissects the forest, traversing about 72 km (45 mi) between the northeastern and southern boundaries. The forest lies between 4° and 5° north latitude and 58.5 and 59.5 degrees west longitude.

The Iwokrama Forest is bordered to the west by the Pakaraima Mountains and to the east by the isolated highlands scattered through centraleast Guyana. It is also bordered by savannahs in the southwest and northeast of Guyana. The Essequibo River forms the eastern boundary. The northern boundary is the Siparuni River. The Burro-Burro River runs through the centre, and most of its watershed is within the forest.

The area is covered with lowland tropical forest, and dominated by tall tropical trees with a dense canopy 20 to 30 metres (70 to 100 ft) high.

The Iwokrama Forest’s ecosystem is located at the juncture of Amazonian and Guianan flora and fauna. As a result, it contains high species richness and several species of animals that are threatened or extinct across most of their former geographic ranges, like the giant anteater.