Grade Six Social Studies
FOREST RESOURCES From 2B
The resources of Guyana are used to provide: √ Food- so that we Guyanese can eat well and live healthy lives
√ Jobs- so that Guyanese can earn money to provide their families with the things they need.
√ Land on which people can build their homes, hospitals, schools, markets, and other places of importance
√ Water to quench thirst, cook, and keep themselves and their surroundings clean. √ Minerals and food for export - these √ bring in foreign exchange which is used to develop Guyana
Let’s Discuss the Forest Resources Found in Guyana.
Nearly four-fifths of the total land area of Guyana is covered with tropical forests. These forests contain many rare and valuable species of timber. They include greenheart, purpleheart, wallaba, and silverbali. Some forest products from wood are balata charcoal and firewood.
Guyana's logging areas are found near rivers. These rivers are used to float logs down to the sawmills. The main logging areas are between the Pomeroon and Cuyuni rivers, the Bartica Triangle between the Cuyuni and Mazaruni rivers, the Kartubu Triangle between the Mazaruni river and the left bank of the Essequibo River and the right bank of the Essequibo river between Rockstone and Kurupukari.
Logging is also done on both sides of parts of the Soesdyke-Linden highway, the banks of the Canje River, the left bank of the Corentyne river, the Matthews RidgeMabaruma areas, parts of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, and Abary rivers, Mabura Hill, Wineperu, Crabwood Creek and the New River Triangle area.
Let’s take a Look at Some of Guyana's hardwood. These are:
Fact/Tip: Many of our forest products are exported and this helps our country to earn valuable foreign
Did you know? Guyana is the largest producer of forest products in the Caribbean. From the forest, we get food-- numerous plants and animals which grow and live in the forests, and medicinal plants. There are also exotic plants for decorative purposes, such as orchids, and animals for zoos around the world.
Let's look at our Water Resources
Guyana is known as the "land of many waters." The many rivers and their tributaries, waterfalls, lake, and canals form part of Guyana's water resources.
Our water resources are utilized in various ways to satisfy our many needs. The major uses of water are: •
Domestic use- drinking, bathing, washing • Transportation- boats use our waterways for travels • Food- fish, beverages • Agriculture- drainage and irrigation • Recreation- waterfalls as a tourist attraction
• Hydropower generation- rivers, rapids, and waterfalls can be used to gen erate electric power - Industries- bauxite, gold mining, processing.
Fact/Tip: Our resources are very important to us as Guyanese. They are not only helpful in our agricultural industries but also in the timber and mineral industries.
Today we looked at the concept resources. We discussed that Resources refer to materials that are developed, and are useful for man's survival. There are two main types of resources: human and natural resources. Further, we mentioned that natural resources are divided into two categories: renewable and non-renewable resources. Finally, we examined Guyana's forest and water resources and their importance to the development of the country.
In our next lesson, we are going to continue looking at this interesting concept of resources, but then we will focus primarily on mineral resources and agricultural resources.
Be brave boys and Girls!