Forestry in Guyana

James Singh

Even though approximately 85% of Guyana is densely forested and follows the typical tropical rain forest pattern of a large number of species in a relatively small area, the fact is that only in the late 1980’s was any serious planned research implemented. This was basically due to the lack of local qualified personnel to initiate any research, the lack of adequate funding to promote any proposed research, and an indifferent public attitude toward forestry itself. This lack of interest still prevails amongst many individuals, with forestry research often being dismissed as unimportant and a waste of money. The relatively long time it takes to obtain results in forestry research is also one factor which may have been an obstacle to persons interested in forestry research, since it is quite true that trees do not grow overnight.

Fonte: Singh, J. 1992. In: Aragón, L. E., org. Desenvolvimento sustentável nos trópicos úmidos, 2 vols. Belém, Unamaz & UFPA.