Local Resources

There are many varied social, cultural and economic resources available to local communities.  Some of them have been developed in partnership with Iwokrama, while others have been developed with international aid agencies. These resources both enrich the quality of life in the region and help the Mission of Iwokrama.

North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB)

The NRDDB is a locally formed Amerindian community-based organization composed of village leaders and other community representatives. It represents communities by taking responsibility for the planning and coordination of many educational, developmental, cultural and research programmes in the North Rupununi. The NRDDB also provides a forum for discussion and decision-making among leaders.

>Learn more about the NRDDB

Bina Hill Institute

The Bina Hill Institute Bina Hill Institute for Research, Training and Development provides a facility for training services to the North Rupununi communities, as well as a base of operations for the NRDDB.

>Learn more about Bina Hill Institute

Community Environmental Workers (CEW's)

This programme officially ended in 2003 but has provided lasting effects on the local communities. CEW's raised awareness, carried out research, and were the basis of the environmental education programmes of the NRDDB.

>Learn more about CEW's

Makushi Research Unit (MRU)

The MRU consists of researchers from local communities who carry out research on social, economic, and ecological aspects of life in the North Rupununi. The MRU focuses on traditional Amerindian values, culture and language. It is also a primary force in ensuring local communities in the North Rupununi are informed of research. Its focus is on traditional

>Learn more about the MRU

Wildlife Clubs

Youth Wildlife Clubs are an integral part of the wildlife management programme of the North Rupununi. They allow students to gain first hand experience with natural resource management and help prepare children for the future. Clubs are closely associated with the schools and community elders so that materials and knowledge are shared with members.

>Learn more about Wildlife Clubs

Village Councils

Leaders of village councils should exist in all 14 villages near or in the Iwokrama Forest. These leaders, called toushaos, are supported by village councils in Toka, Massara, and Yakarinta. The Annai District, which includes Annai Central, Kwatamang, Rupertee, Wowetta, and Surama, also has a council and a toushao. Aranaputa, Apoteri, Fairview, Rewa, and Crash Water are governed by Community Development Councils with a Chair.

North Rupununi District Credit and Development Trust (NRCDT)

Local enterprise development in the North Rupununi is supported by short term loans from a credit centre administered by the NRCDT.

The credit centre was originally supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Poverty Alleviation Programme and managed by the Institute for Partner Education & Development. It was then given to the NRDDB and is now managed by the NRCDT with assistance from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

North Rupununi District Agricultural Producers Association (NRDAPA)

The NRDAPA represents local farmers and producers. The Association works to develop peanut production systems in the North Rupununi in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, University of Florida, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, and Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute.

Other projects, in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Kanataka and Demerara, are drip irrigation for savannah farming and micro-credit loan systems in the Rupununi. The NRDAPA is also working on artificial insemination systems for cattle.

Women's Sewing Groups

Sewing groups were developed in 1996 and each community has activity centres (except Kwaimatta and Crash Water) for sewing groups. Sewing groups produce clothes, embroideries, clothing, and mosquito nets.

Fisheries Committees

Fisheries committees are a recent development in the North Rupununi with responsibility for implementing the management of Arapaima and other wildlife and fish in the North Rupununi Wetlands. There are fisheries committees in each of the North Rupununi communities and a centralized committee linked to the NRDDB.

>Management Plan for Arapaima

(800kb .pdf file)