The Rupununi in Guyana comprises a savanna ecosystem, which is flammable yet fire dependent. Many people use and depend on fire for their livelihoods. However, in the context of global climate change, there are new challenges with unpredictable weather, land use change, and traditional knowledge loss, which means it is increasingly becoming difficult to manage fire.
As part of ongoing work to support Indigenous communities with fire management in Guyana, Kayla de Freitas and Jay Mistry from the Leverhulme Wildfires Centre and Royal Holloway University of London, and Kid James of the South Rupununi District Council, led a first workshop in March 2023 with representatives from the sub-districts in Rupununi (South Pakaraima, North Rupununi, Central, South Central, and Deep South Rupununi) who gathered to discuss previous fire projects, research and initiatives. This was followed with an engagement with regional authorities and national authorities to provide feedback on fire recommendations. In December 2023, we had a follow-up workshop to identify the top priorities for moving forward with fire management in Rupununi and develop concrete actions. This has led to the Rupununi Fire Recommendations:
- Rupununi fire – a community-led participatory process for developing practical and policy recommendations for fire management in Guyana
- Rupununi fire – Fire Management – Actions Planned
The 2023 to 2024 dry season has been particularly severe, driven by El Niño, and has led to months of fires and smoke in the Rupununi. In next steps, local communities and regional and national stakeholders are keen to take the actions in the document forward in order to mitigate and limit wildfire risks while maintaining and promoting traditional forms of fire management.
