The transformation of the Zoological Park, the Botanical Garden…
– says VP Jagdeo

In an initiative aimed at promoting environmental awareness and community involvement, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday engaged children, university students and adults to seek their input on the redevelopment of the Guyana Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens.

The consultation forum, held at the Guyana Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens, gave the children a platform to share their ideas and perspectives on a matter of national importance.
By involving children in this transformative project, Dr. Jagdeo said the government hopes to create a more engaging and educational space that reflects Guyana’s rich natural heritage while serving as a safe haven for families and visitors alike.

The Vice President was accompanied by a team of government ministers including the Minister of Tourism Industry and Trade, Oneidge Walrond; Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy; and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat. Municipal councilors from the People’s Progressive/Civic Party (PPP/C) were also present.

Earlier this month, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during his address to the 12th Parliament, unveiled plans for a major transformation of the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens.
The project aims to develop a modern, educational and recreational facility while expanding the “green” spaces, an initiative that aligns with the government’s vision of sustainability.
During the well-attended public consultation, the Vice President emphasized that the redevelopment of the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote sustainable tourism while saving Guyana’s rich biodiversity.

Dr. Jagdeo said it will not only serve as an educational center highlighting the diversity of Guyana’s flora and fauna, but will also be a safe and peaceful space where families can gather and explore nature.
He said the project aims to raise awareness among children and coastal communities about climate change, sustainability and the country’s unique wildlife.

The Vice President emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for reference groups, who may not have direct experience of Guyana’s diverse flora and fauna, to encounter species such as the giant anteater, which they might otherwise never see as they visit rarely. the forest

SAFE SPACE
“That’s why a lot of the facilities here (Zoo and Botanic Gardens) would focus on teaching and familiarization and a safe space for our kids and families to come and enjoy what we have as a country … Of course, tourists too; it can also be a source of attraction for the country,” Jagdeo told an engaged audience.

He emphasized the importance of exposing children to the challenges of the future so as to ensure that they can maintain a safe and sustainable country a century from now. He said that he believes that the current efforts are increasingly focused on the benefit of the younger generation.

Jagdeo emphasized that this transformation project is not a standalone effort but is integrated into the government’s broader beautification program for the capital Georgetown and the entire country.
Protected Areas Commission (PAC) Board Chair Robert Persaud said efforts to improve Georgetown’s botanical gardens and parks were stalled from 2015 to 2020 under the government’s A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change ( APNU+AFC).

But with the PPP/C returning to office in 2020, he said, work has been done to improve urban parks, although it is expensive and resource-consuming for the CAP.
He noted that Vice President Jagdeo’s initiative is both timely and essential, highlighting the focus on public engagement and a consultative process, which aligns with the government’s governance approach.

Board and PAC Advisor Damian Fernandes explained that there are plans to expand the zoo into a Wildlife Conservation Education Center focusing on Guyanese biodiversity.
According to him, the plan includes the creation of new themed enclosures around ecosystems such as coastal wetlands, inland forests and savannas to house animals such as harpy eagles, jaguars, black caiman and giant otters.

Fernandes explained that this is to ensure that the animals thrive in environments that mimic their natural habitats. He said the zoo will have educational stations, suspended walkways and immersive experiences with an emphasis on species conservation and reintroduction.

The design, he noted, is meant to minimize disruption, with an emphasis on indigenous aesthetics and interactive exhibits, including a hop-on-hop-off electric transportation system to navigate the ecosystem’s replicas.
He said the botanical gardens will undergo a significant redesign to highlight Guyana’s diverse plant species. Rare and endangered plants will be preserved and the gardens will have specialist areas for medicinal plants, native fruit trees and ornamental flora. The paths will be renovated to accommodate guided tours.

Meanwhile, during the engagement, Dr. Jagdeo proposed several ideas to improve the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens, including adding a petting zoo, reviving the aquarium, hiring tour guides, and introducing non-native animals such as giraffes for to enrich the visitor experience.

All these initiatives are designed to create a facility that meets international standards. In addition, he noted that the possibility of a privately run safari-style zoo at another location is also being considered.