Guyana has taken a step toward expanding its forest restoration efforts with the launch of its first major bamboo pilot project, aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands while creating sustainable income opportunities for forest-dependent communities.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), announced that the initiative forms part of the country’s broader National Forest Restoration Initiative (NFRI), which has been in place since 2023. The NFRI is a joint effort between the GFC and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), designed to explore restoration options that include non-timber and agroforestry pathways alongside native forest species.In a move to diversify restoration strategies, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has introduced bamboo as a fast-growing solution to support revegetation and economic activity.
According to the ministry, the project titled “Piloting Bamboo for Restoration & Sustainable Livelihoods in Guyana” officially commenced with a planting exercise at Coomacka in Region 10, where close to 500 bamboo plants are being established.
The ministry noted that the initiative is funded by the European Union under the Euroclima programme and is being implemented with technical support from Expertise France and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR).
The bamboo species being trialed, Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris, is being used to restore a mined-out bauxite site in the old Coomacka mines area, near the Maria Elizabeth/Three Friends community. Technical guidance for the restoration work is being provided by INBAR.
The project has also seen active collaboration with several mining communities in Region 10, including Maria Elizabeth/Three Friends, Coomacka, Old England/Siberien, Nottinghamshire, and Richmond Hill. The ministry said these communities have played a key role in shaping a project suited to their environmental and economic realities. Describing the initiative as a flagship undertaking, the ministry emphasised that it focuses on “actionable and tangible targets” not only for bamboo trials but also for building knowledge and capacity at multiple levels. It added that the project lays the foundation for “dynamic partnerships in a new industry based in nature and sustainability,” as Guyana continues to explore innovative approaches to restoration and rural development.
