Press Release 22 November 2004

Iwokrama Seeks Partners for
Sustainable Timber Harvesting in 2005

Georgetown, Guyana - Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development announced today that it is seeking local and international private sector partners for the initiation of a sustainable timber harvesting operation in Iwokrama Forest. Iwokrama is developing an ecologically sensitive timber operation that will also demonstrate social, cultural, and economic benefits for the local communities. The overall objective is to provide models of best practices for sustainable forest management to Guyana and the world.

Forty-six thousand hectares, representing about 12% of Iwokrama Forest, have been identified for the operation. From 6,000 to 15,000 cubic metres per year of high value timber products will be extracted and destined for export markets in the Caribbean, US, and Europe. Based on timber production of 3,000 cubic metres of sawn timber, estimated minimum gross revenues are expected to be about US$1.2M per year. Tree species to be harvested include Greenheart, Mora, Crabwood, and Purpleheart.

The Iwokrama Forest of central Guyana is located in Region 8, approximately 340 km from Georgetown, and is accessible by the Georgetown-Lethem road. The total forest area is 371,000 hectares and is divided into two zones. The Sustainable Use Area, that portion of the Forest allocated for forest-based business development, comprises about 50% of the total area. The balance of the Forest is zoned as a Wilderness Preserve.

Iwokrama, founded by the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth, is an international programme designed to show how to sustainably use and conserve tropical rain forests. The organisation has already concluded arrangements similar to what is sought for timber harvesting, such as the recent agreement with a private sector / local community business partnership called Community and Tourism Services (CATS) to manage the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Iwokrama is also working with several conservation organizations such as WWF to develop effective monitoring and management programmes for Iwokrama Forest . A major objective of the monitoring programme is to evaluate changes to the regional ecosystem that occur as a result of business development.

Parties interested in the timber harvesting partnerships are directed to see the Iwokrama web site (www.iwokrama.org) and/or contact Dane Gobin at 225-1504.