Title: Preparatory study for the creation of a protected area in Rupununi region (Kanuki Mountains and Pirara)

Project number: B7-5041/92.17/VIII/FOR

Amount: 143.250 ECU

Contractor: Agriconsulting S.p.A. (Rome-Italy)

Field: plan of conservation (creation of protected areas

Country: Guyana

Date of signature: 23/12/92; Date of limit of execution: 31/12/93

Duration: 8 months

Objectives:

To provide a detailed formulation plan concerning the creation of a protected area in Kanuku Mountains and surrounding areas. The population living in this area should be taken into consideration in the project formulation.

Activities:

• Assessment of the environmental resources of the concerned areas;
• A survey of the area;
• A survey of the presence of Amerindian populations in the area concerned;
• Identification of immediate conservation needs and recommend short term measures;
• Preparation of a detailed budget covering immediate measures;
• Recommendation of institutional, legal and financial arrangements concerning the protected areas to be created (propose institutional and juridical reforms, if applicable; who will be responsible for the management of the park; how the park will finance itself).

Results expected:

• KANP established with basic infrastructure and staff;
• Management Plan drafted;
• Amerindians introduced to new agricultural methods;
• Tourism revenue generated;
• Baseline data collected;
• Regional conservation awareness created.

A Report covering the activities mentioned above. It will be able to facilitate the creation of a protected Area System in Guyana.

Beneficiaries:

• Amerindians, through employment in the management structure of the protected area and in services related to eco-tourism, through rural development imputs and the protection of traditional resources use;
• The people of region nine as a whole through the creation of new opportunities in an economically depressed area; through the long-term protection of an area vital to the climatic, hydrological and environmental stability of the Region;
• The people of Guyana, through the securing of a major component in a future national system of protected areas;
• The people of the world through the protection of existence and recreational values inherent in the area;
• The Guyana Agency for Health Services Education, Environment and Food policy (GAHEF) in respect to a development of a Protected Area System;
• The Delegation of the European Communities in Guyana for the implementation of a formulation plan to assist GAHEF;

Implementation Strategy:

• one specialist in conservation management
• one wildlife expert

The consultants shall work closely with GAHEF and the delegation of the European Communities in Guyana.

The population living in these areas should be taken into consideration in the project formulation.

The Final report underlines that short term measures (the terms of reference refer to assessment of "immediate conservation needs" and to "short-term measures" designed to address them) will achieve little: the measures required, and the only ones that should be taken, are long-term ones involving institution building, legislation, establishment of managed protected areas, training education, rural development and wildlife management.

The indicators, the source of verification and assumptions for the projects are as presented in the logical framework (6.7).

At the results' level assumptions include: Government of Guinea (GoG) strengthens conservation institutions, trains manpower, allocates funds; GoG develops agricultural extension services; GoG approves draft management Plan; Kanuku Amerindian National Park (KANP) tourism revenue use to benefit local communities; GoG promotes tourism to Guyana, strengthens tourism institutions and laws, relaxes permit requirements for Rupununi; GoG provides funds for permanent buildings in KANP; Amerindians well disposed towards KANP; Conservation of wildlife Act passed.