guyanatimesgy.com
JULY 20, 2014
Times Sunday Magazine
3
Times Focus
The Cheddi Jagan Biodiversity Park A
national hero, Dr Cheddi Jagan had a profound association with biodiversity, preservation of the eco-system and sustainable development. He personally took care of his garden at his home, which he reaped vegetables and fruits. He once said, “... the natural resources of our planet must be utilised for the benefit of mankind in such a way that they remain available for future generations, and that in the process of utilisation, fullest measures are taken to prevent environmental degradation.” In memory of his years of work as an activist in preserving our rich biodiversity, the Cheddi Jagan Biodiversity Park was identified in September 2001 and officially opened 23 March 2002. The idea of identifying an appropriate park consistent with Dr Jagan’s concept and likeness and love for nature came from Isahak Basir, CCH, a personality who has had 40 years of very close political relations with the late president. Lima Sands, located in
Memorial ceremony in 2012 Essequibo, Region Two, was identified for the park, which now nurtures a variety of flora, fauna and subordinating savannahs. Access to the site is by road, west of Anna Regina, parallel to the Tapacooma main canals.
History of the area
The entire sea coast from the Corentyne to the Barima River in the North West District was occupied by rival Spanish, French and Dutch interests, even though the Dutch paid for their final occupation. T h e Essequibo Coast was no exception; from Supenaam to Better Success each estate owner had his own landing, police and control system. Cotton, coffee and sugar dominate Indian Arrival Monument at the park the produc-
tion, with thirty four sugar mills on the Essequibo Coast lands. The areas between Reliance and Paradise were dependent on water supply from Tapacooma Lake; the main supply canal was under the control of the Dutch planters of the Anna Regina estate. The plutocracy, from Richmond to Paradise, consisting of eleven estate owners, decided in 1788 to engage about 150 slaves to dig a canal North West of the Tapacooma Lake landing to the back of Lima estate, to avoid the high charges and sabotage of water supply from Anna Regina owners and slave masters. This effort was met with armed opposition that forced the location of the canal further inland. However, the canal was completed about eight miles, cutting through the Lima Sands. A wooden koker structure, built in the 1920 is still noticeable. The Lima sand was an escape route for runaway slaves, who were easily captured by Amerindians in the Dredge Creek water way, now known as 'Manicuri' Canal. The word 'Manicuri' is of Locono origin, meaning “hiding place”.
The British, who took control in the 1810 and 1860 periods, brought mules and bison to help on the sugar plantation. Lima Sand became a heaven for escaped bison, and some eventually migrated to Troolie Island. A person named Sernauth Ally is said to have killed the last bison in 1954 in Danielstown. The three counties, Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice merged in 1831 under British occupation, but each county had their elect-
ed representative in control. By mid 1930, the main contestants for the Demerara court of policy, from Essequibo were Dodds of Affiance, Seymour of Reliance and Brashington of Hampton Court. It was a heated election in 1930 and Brashington lost the majority. He became enraged and immediately closed down the Hampton Court estate allegedly saying, “Essequibo coolie must perish and wear jute bags for clothing.”
He damaged many infrastructures, demolished many logies and destroyed one of the most beautiful chimneys built by the Dutch in Hampton Court. His final assault was to damage a waterwheel that prevented Hampton Court from flooding, and instructed his remaining disciples to pull a huge iron cane punt and block the supply canal of Lima that led to the Tapacooma Lake and one that led to the Anna Regina hinterland. The iron punts can still be located about 500 meters west of Lima Sands, now submerged under savannah vegetation. The site for the park was chosen because this was where the hard work of building a huge dam by slaves was done. It is where one can ponder about what our ancestors went through using baskets, shovels and spades, enduring the slave masters' whip to build such a landmark. The memory of the late President Jagan, this great, teacher, father and leader, must be preserved and immortalised – the Dr Cheddi Jagan Biodiversity Park definitely serves this purpose. (Information by Cheddi Jagan Research Centre; Photos by Marco Basir)