Project launched to rehab Georgetown Zoo, Botanical Gardens
The Zoo Restoration and Enhancement Project has been launched by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) under the theme, “Wildlife Warriors: Unite for Conservation” and is part of a rehabilitation drive to enhance the structures and surroundings of the Georgetown Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The project began with an exercise yesterday that lasted from 08.00 to 10.00 hours. In attendance were several nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and companies who volunteered their assistance with the enhancement efforts. Among them were members of the President Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG), members of the diplomatic corps, Exxon Mobil Guyana, Schlumberger Guyana, British High Commission, and the Caribbean Youth environment network (CYEN) along members of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
PAC Commissioner, Jason Fraser, commenting on the exercise, shared that the significant turnout has now sparked the idea for a “Friends of the Parks” initiative. “We are going to have a meeting with a forum where we discuss projects and ways that we can collaborate with these youth organisations to do projects within the park.”
All urban green spaces are managed by the PAC and the restoration enhancement project marks the launch of the rehabilitation drive. Fraser noted that this venture is one that will take place quarterly either on Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings.
Yesterday’s event focused on the ‘sprucing up’ and painting of various areas within the Botanical Gardens and the Zoological Park. It involved painting and cleaning various animal enclosures, as well as the tree trunks and benches in the gardens.
Fraser pointed out, however, that is just the initial phase of the project. Looking ahead, additional enhancement endeavours would include activities like animal rehabilitation and feeding. These initiatives are aimed to engage families who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts.
“Today, we have great support from corporate and other organisations along with civil society,” he stated, adding that the “great support” is an opening to setting the trend and leading the way to having green spaces transformed and rehabilitated.
Foreign Secretary and PAC Chairman, Robert Persaud, expressed his gratitude to the organisations that responded by sending representatives to be a part of the effort. He noted that green spaces are an important part of the city and they represent a sample of the rich flora and fauna of Guyana. “It is not only an experience for families, but is also one for children to be educated and understand the rich biodiversity of our country.” Further, spaces such as the Botanical Gardens provide a glimpse for those who are unable to travel to the hinterland rainforest and the savannahs to see wildlife it possesses.
“Enhancing this (garden/garden) is to enhance the experience and the education” Persaud said.
Guyana is a model globally for the way our wildlife and forests are protected, Persaud said, adding that it is important for a subset of those larger spaces to follow suit and tell the story of Guyana.
“So it is having functional green spaces, but also having these spaces and facilities to showcase and let people appreciate and understand what we are doing as a country and as a people in terms of managing our rich biodiversity.”