An alarming increase in fires across hinterland and urban communities has prompted the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to warn that persons responsible for deliberately setting fires which damage forests will face the full penalty of the law.
In a joint public notice issued on October 15, the agencies said some of the fires were man-made and, in certain instances, deliberately set. They cautioned that fires starting outside forested areas can spread, threatening wildlife and causing extensive environmental damage.
“The deliberate destruction and devastation of Guyana’s forest will therefore, not be tolerated,” the notice stated.
The agencies pointed to provisions of the Forests Act 2009 which prohibit activities likely to cause forest produce to burn or become damaged. These include throwing down a lighted match or other lighted and flammable material.
The notice also outlined responsibilities under the Act for reporting and helping to control fires. According to the agencies, persons who see fires burning are required to promptly notify a forest or fire officer.
They further cited provisions concerning steps to extinguish forest fires and the authority of forest officers to require assistance from persons within a reasonable distance of an outbreak.
The Ministry and GFC appealed for urgent public cooperation to prevent new fires and stop existing outbreaks from spreading.
Beyond the immediate threat to trees and wildlife, the agencies stressed that damage to forests can affect livelihoods, particularly in Indigenous and other hinterland communities where logging and related activities provide employment.
“The Forest Resources of Guyana are the patrimony of all Guyanese and provide shelter for humans and animals,” the notice stated.
The agencies also highlighted the forests’ role in storing carbon and providing other environmental services, noting their importance to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.
