Guiana Shield Initiative

The Guiana Shield region contains more than 25% of the world’s tropical rainforests, most still in pristine condition. The Guiana Shield Initiative is working to preserve this ecologically important and unique area of the earth. In order to do so, up-to-date and accurate information is needed – a greater part of which could be fulfilled by the development of a suitable monitoring system based on remote sensing methods.

The Guiana Shield has 10-15% of the world’s freshwater reserves, a virtually uninterrupted stretch of 2.5 million km2 of tropical rainforests and biodiversity that exists only in this region. This region performs vital functions for the world’s climate, the regional hydrology and the preservation of biological capital. Revenue from tourism from visitors enjoying the wonders of the Guiana Shield should be a sizeable part of the economy.

With 2.5 million square kilometers of largely intact tropical rainforest and savannah, 10-15% of the world’s fresh water reserves and an extremely rich and highly endemic biodiversity, the Guiana Shield ranks among the most important ecological regions in the world. This report highlights the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) of the Guiana Shield.

Colombia’s policy on its indigenous people includes recognizing their rights relating to political and administrative autonomy, land tenure, education and health. This progressive policy has been implemented through the establishment of indigenous reserves called resuguaros, which recognizes the role of traditional indigenous management mechanisms for the conservation of the environment.