1. Tropical Rainforest Management in Iwokrama
By Luke and Toby

2. Background
The Iwokrama Rainforest is located in central Guyana, South America and covers 3710 km2.
Many rivers run through the rainforest including the Siparuni, Burro-Burro and Essequibo rivers.
The area is virtually untouched even by the indigenous tribes who live there, with only one village inside the area.
The area has high biodiversity with the highest species diversity for fish and bats in the world, and very high bird diversity.

3. Problems faced by Tropical Rainforest
Tropical rainforest ecosystems are typically exploited by humans for a variety of reasons. Industrialisation in developing countries (where most TRF is located) requires forest resources, or income generated by selling these resources.
Many methods of rainforest usage are unsustainable. Deforestation reduces the quality of soil which is already poor; when this land is used for cattle ranching, or monoculture plantations (eg. palm, rubber, teak) the fragile ecosystem is drastically modified. Furthermore these methods destroy animal habitats reducing biodiversity, and impact indigenous tribes who use the forest to live.

5. Project Outline
The Iwokrama project is run by The International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. The aims are to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the forest, to sustainably research and use the forest, to educate and set examples, and to create sustainable human development.
The pristine quality of the rainforest means it is the perfect place to trial new methods of development, and avoid the problems faced in rainforests such as the Amazon and those in south-east Asia.

6. Sustainable Management
The Iwokrama forest is divided into two distinct halves with different methods of management: one area is a wilderness preserve and the other is a sustainable use and development area (SUA).

7. Sustainable Management
Wilderness Preserve
SUA
The wilderness preserve is a strictly non commercial area intended for protection and conservation.
Extraction of forest resources, mining, clearing of land for agriculture and construction of tourist facilities is strictly prohibited, with the exception of the indigenous tribes who are allowed to use the area in the traditional way.
Research and the use of vehicles and trails is allowed only when there is no other alternative.
The SUA is an area intended for business development.
Extraction of timber and other natural resources is permitted and is harvested using sustainable methods.
The construction of roads, trails, buildings and campsites are allowed only after an impact assessment has been undertaken.
The use of land for agriculture and mining is very limited and only approved if strict guidelines are adhered to.

8. Conservation of Biodiversity

9. Ecotourism