Bartica: Government is committed and arrangements are being made to transform Bartica into a green Town. Following the success of a green Bartica, similar efforts would be advanced to metamorphose other Municipalities and communities to achieve a truly green Guyana.
This developmental initiative is the beginning of the realisation of a vision of Guyana becoming an upper middle-income developed country by 2025 through balanced low emissions (green) development amongst the production, consumption, conservation and preservation sectors.
To this end, the Ministries of the Presidency and Communities, Region Seven’s Local Democratic Organs and residents of Bartica are working together to ensure that the projects and programmes being implemented in the Town’s 14-mile radius are in keeping with Government’s vision. As outlined by President David A. Granger a green economy is one that sustains economic prosperity, environmental security and social wellbeing.
On Wednesday, Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best shared Guyana's Green Economy Plan and “Green Bartica Plan” with Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority Myrna Pitt and other staff of the Ministry of Communities. The presentation was done at the Ministry’s De’ Winkle Building, Kingston boardroom.
The transformation of Guyana into a green economy is being done with visionary leadership. This is according to Minister Bulkan, who emphasized that, the theme of the National Budget 2015, “A fresh approach to a good life in a green economy” is an expression of Government’s commitment to this cause.
Minister Bulkan is of the view that the green economy plan presents the opportunity for the country to move into a direction that minimizes human activities that are harmful to the environment. He stressed that Bartica is the template which would be used to ignite tangible change, which Government promised Guyanese during the General and Regional 2015 Elections campaign.
The financial benefits accrued from the effective utilization of resources in a green economy could provide more than a good life to Guyanese, Minister Bulkan stated. He pointed out that Bartica is situated in Guyana’s hinterland region, where the country’s effortless beauty radiates. The potential for profitable ecotourism ventures that could significantly reduce material poverty is enormous and should be encouraged, he added.
The Green Bartica Plan, which is a natural flow from the Green Economy Plan, presented by Best takes into consideration green tourism. According to Best, Bartica is known as ‘the gateway to the rainforest’ and has the potential to become the ecotourism hub of Guyana. It is envisioned that tourism activities would provide a sustainable source of income and employment opportunities for the region. Bartica has a considerable size service industry that supports short stay visitors like those in mining.
The green tourism vision forms part of the Guyana’s green economy pathway that represents a comprehensive climate change solution for Guyana and the world that involves all the country’s sectors.
Best said, “Guyana’s green economy is about developing an economy that is low emissions driven, resource efficient and socially inclusive, which fosters economic growth and development while ensuring that our natural capital continues to provide the resources and environmental services on which our existence relies.”
He related that creating a green economy would require public and private investment funds to drive green jobs and income growth, which in turn, promotes clean energy, reduces carbon emissions and pollution and prevents the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Presidential Advisor encouraged the managers and staff of the Ministry to keep the green vision in mind whilst planning projects and programmes. Sharing some ideas, he said that building codes should consider green design and construction and proper planning for land use should be done to clearly define land for different activities.
To ensure the public is informed of the Green Bartica Plan, Government will be engaged in a massive public education and awareness campaign. Different means of communication such as social media, radio, television, billboards and community meetings would be used to share information. Interested persons could visit #greenBartica to follow the progress of the project and obtain additional information.
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