Proposal

	2/14/2013
Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative (GMEI)

Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative

Removal of refuge from streets and open areas; chopping of shrubs and planting of trees and flowers to enhance the aesthetics of the environments across Guyana and developing social consciousness to effect behavioral changes in the preservation of the natural beauty of the environment

Prophets Muhammad & Jesus

(peace be upon them) both stated that:

“Cleanliness invites toward faith,

and faith leads its possessor to the Garden.”

They also said: “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

Cleanliness is beauty …and the rapture of beauty should & must prevail over the madness of environmental destruction such as littering. The environmental crisis then, based on the sayings of the Prophets, is an external reflection of modern humanity's spiritual crisis..."

 

Introduction

The provision and maintenance of a clean and healthy environment is indeed a critical dimension of the quality of life for all individuals as well as the flora and fauna species that is in constant contact with their ecosystems. A clean environment promotes good health and is essential for disease prevention and disease incidence. Growth of the natural ecosystem will be proliferated and all forms of life will be sustained due to a clean and healthy environment.

Guyana has been described a “paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the Eco-tourist”, because of the irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests; immense waterfalls; amazing wildlife; blended with a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people. With these immaculate descriptions and attributes given to such a country, a clean environment is necessary to attract tourist to access our service which will have positive implications for the local economy.

The government and civil society have been doing its part to ensure that our country remains clean and free of litter. The education system has an important role to play in the education of the young minds on the effects and impacts of a litter filled environment. The print and electronic media and all other stakeholders involved in the communication and the dissemination of information also have an important role to play.

This project will bring to fore a transformation in the environment which is unwholesome to one of appreciation by citizens, and an enhanced presentation through the beautification drive. This project will be managed by the Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative (GMEI) in partnership with Government of Guyana and citizens.

 

Background

Littering has been plaguing our global environments for decades now. It has been a persistent problem in the United States of America since at least 1953 when “Keep America Beautiful” (KAB) initiative was launched by a non-profit organization with the aim of ridding the streets and roadside of garbage (Forbes, 2000).

(Cone & Haynes, 1980) posited that Americans alone generates about 145 million tons of Garbage in the year 1977. This amount has increased significantly to an approximate figure of 251 million tons in the year 2008, a 73% increase according the EPA, which cost the government approximately $500 million annually to remove.

Over the years, the impact of improper solid waste management has become the critical environmental problem in Georgetown and all over Guyana. This problem has become more acute over time, creating unpleasant esthetic conditions and threatening the health of the urban population. The negative impact of improper waste disposal was heavily felt during the January 2005 flood when waste-filled canals did not drain as rapidly as expected (IDB, 2013).

Guyana’s central metropolitan population of 352,000 generates about 103,000 tons of solid waste annually, of which half is produced by Georgetown and the remainder by residents in the 15 surrounding NDC districts.

With the proliferation of the fast-food industry, stores and mini-cook shops, coupled with the exorbitant levels of plastic containers and other receptacles in use, our streets, vacant lots and roadways have become the dumping ground for refuse, which significantly contributed to our current garbage crisis, especially in our cities. With this current trend, if not arrested in a timely manner by all concerned, our ecosystem and our tourist industry will face dire consequences.

 

Project Identification

 

Stakeholders Analysis

a) Littering of streets, open areas and waterways.

b) Growth of shrubs which mars the aesthetics of the environment.

c) Lack of sustained effort in the cleaning and maintenance exercises.

d) Limited number of receptacles to store litter

e) Improper timing for collection and removal of refuse

Environmental Issues

a) Blockage of drains and waterways which leads to flooding.

b) Proliferation in the infestation levels of Rodents, Arthropods (Scorpions) and Blattellidae (Roaches)

c) Destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems.

d) Ill health in humans and animals.

Goals & Objectives

The objectives of the project are:

1. To beautify Guyana through the removal of litter from streets, open areas and waterways

2. To educate citizens on the proper method of garbage disposal and its impact of the environment and ecosystems.

3. To improve the aesthetics of the environment.

The goals of the project are:

1. To development and implement an educational program to manage litter within selected areas.

2. Achieve low levels of litter throughout the selected communities.

3. Restore dignity in our beautiful country.

Launching of Project

The project will be launched on March 02, 2013 on East Street, Georgetown.

Time Frame for Project

The project will continue to be sustained way after its launching. Specific areas will be adopted by GMEI to be cleaned, maintained and kept in a beautified manner.

Proposed areas to be adopted by GMEI

Some of the areas proposed to be adopted are: Independence Blvd and Hunter Street, East Street, Woolford Avenue, Waterloo Street and other areas. Sections of streets and roadways around the Masjids and Islamic Centers in the coastal regions will also be cleaned and maintained.

Procedures to execute Project

For the project to be successfully executed, GMEI will host a series of meetings with stakeholders to derive commonalities and relevant commitments as it relates to the project. The group will also need to acquire a tractor & trailer to move the garbage to the disposal site. Brush cutters, garbage bags, tools and implements like cutlasses, files, rakes, hoes, shovels, forks and gloves will be needed to execute the various tasks.

Bumper stickers, fliers and other relevant information will be distributed to schools and other institutions, masjids and community centers, bearing messages of environmental protection and cleanliness. The public will be made aware of the project through the different media (print & electronic), signs and billboards under this initiative.

Principal parties in the Project

This project will have the following groups as its main parties, whose involvement are solicited at the early stages of the Stakeholder’s analysis:

This project is a component of the GOG initiative under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. In order to successfully develop this proposal; various entities have to be engaged as stakeholders. These stakeholders are categorized as follows:

a) Funding Agency:

· GOG

· Ministry of Natural Resources & the Environment

· Guyana Islamic Trust

· Central Islamic Organization of Guyana

· Other Islamic Organizations& Groups

· Muslim Businesses and Private Sector

· Ministry of Tourism

b) Implementing Agencies:

· All organizations and individuals under the GMEI umbrella

· Ministry of Tourism

· Pick it up Guyana

· NDC’s

· RDC’s

· M&CC

c) Collaborative partners

· MOA

· MOE

· MNRE

· MOH&W

· Private sector

· Business Fraternity

· EPA

· Ministry of Home Affairs

 

Human Resource Management

This plan will set out a road map on volunteer needs, recruitment, training (if necessary), roles, reporting procedures, remunerations, performance reviews, discipline and replacement.

Estimated Cost of Project

The cost is estimated at approximately $10 million annually to execute this project which will include publications, wages for tractor operator, fuel to operate grass cutters, signs, banners, billboards and other overhead costs. A full breakdown will be provided on the actual costing of the project

References

1. Forbes, Gerry, J, (2000). Reducing Litter on Roadsides, Transportation Research Board, USA.

2. Cone, John, D.& Haynes, Steven, C, (1980). Environmental Problem/Behavioral Solutions, University of Cambridge, USA. 3. Sugii, Takeo, (2008). Plastic Bag Reduction: Policies to Reduce Environmental Impact, ProQuest LLC, USA 4. Prather, Don & Nelson, John, P, (1978). Impact of Litter: an update, University of Minnesota, USA 5. www.strabroeknews.com 6. www.chronicle.com 7. www.epa.com 8. www.idb.com