ExxonMobil’s ongoing partnership with the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) in Guyana continues to grow in support of forest conservation efforts, and more recently, the implementation of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its establishment in 1996, Iwokrama has been working to achieve sustainable forest management in Guyana through a system that incorporates conservation, environmental balance and prudent economic use. But the ongoing pandemic has posed challenges for Iwokrama, as it has done for communities, companies, governments and non-profit oganisations across the world.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin—in the Centre’s 2020 report—noted that the pandemic had disrupted Iwokrama’s work, which led to a re-examination of the work plan. Among major problems he identified were the departure of a strategic partner, low visitation, and travel restrictions.
According to the CEO, another main challenge was the Centre’s inability to maintain its customary level of monitoring activities. The impact of the pandemic had caused a reduction in staff as well as fewer monitoring patrols, which resulted in an increase in illegal activity in the forest, most notably illegal mining.
Gobin reported that miners took advantage of reduced activity by the Centre and intensified their operations; employing the use of small dredges that caused significant damage to the forest, especially by cutting down trees indiscriminately.
However, with ExxonMobil Guyana’s assistance, Iwokrama has been able to move decisively to alleviate the problem. “The Centre, with support from ExxonMobil Guyana, procured a drone to support its monitoring programme by providing aerial views…Support was also provided to two communities to aid them in monitoring and preventing illegal activities in their area,” Gobin stated.
With this drone technology, Iwokrama can now monitor the forest remotely to identify and monitor areas where illegal activities are prevalent, and simultaneously support the work of enforcement teams, including the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Corps of Wardens and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
Furthermore, ExxonMobil Guyana has also provided funding for the training of staff in use of equipment necessary for their operations.
Through the assistance of the oil company, the Centre was also able to provide help to the communities in which they operate, in order to curb the spread of the pandemic. ExxonMobil aided in the supply of masks and sanitization essentials. “Iwokrama provided masks and cleaning and sanitization supplies to 10 Communities in the North Rupununi with support from ExxonMobil,” the Centre disclosed.
ExxonMobil’s support to Iwokrama extends beyond pandemic activities. In fact, it was disclosed in 2020 that since 2017 the oil giant had provided the Iwokrama Science Programme with more than GY$180 million. As of 2020, the company’s financial contributions to Iwokrama were estimated to reach US$1 million (GY$200 million).
