| Amidst increasing reports of illegal hunting, Government yesterday announced that it has put together a special team, headed by a former army chief to oversee the management and conservation of wildlife in the country. The National Committee will be headed by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh, and will represent officials of the public sector regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which has oversight of wildlife,NFL Jerseys Outlet, through its regulatory body,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it has received several reports of illegally hunted and traded wildlife in Guyana. This is in direct contravention of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations 2013, the Ministry said.“This legislative instrument allows for regulating the harvesting of wildlife for various purposes including bushmeat, scientific research etc. Anyone who contravenes the tenets of this legal Instrument will be guilty of an offence and liable to receiving penalties ranging from $30,000 to $750,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys,000 along with prison time.”The regulation lists all protected species in Guyana. “At this juncture, the Ministry would like to reiterate that all species of wildcats including jaguar and puma are protected, which means that their collection, holding in captivity, hunting,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, or otherwise molesting is prohibited. This extends to the owning and selling of cat body parts or products thereof.”The Ministry disclosed that it has embarked on a vigorous programme to enforce the regulation and curb the illegal hunting and trapping of wildlife.The National Committee will act in an advisory capacity to provide general oversight and guidance in the development of strategies and programmes for wildlife management and conservation in Guyana in keeping with the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations 2013. “Upon its finalisation, the Committee will also be guided by the Wildlife Import and Export Bill 2013 which seeks to better regulate the trading of wildlife.”Among other things, the special body will be liaising with various stakeholders both local and international,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, including Panthera and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.“This collaboration has realised the development of a 12 month project to build the foundation for monitoring and regulating wildlife harvest in the South-Guyana Region. On completion, this project will be rolled out on a national level,Cheap NFL jerseys China,” the Ministry said. A sensitization program to educate stakeholders and the general public on key issues related to wildlife management and conservation in Guyana is also on the cards.Wildlife hunting and export is big business for a number of locals. “Wild meat” especially is in hot demand with bars and restaurants clamoring for them. There have been significant reports of live animals being smuggled with no indication of how extensive this practice is. Parrots, macaws and alligators are among the most in demand. |
