Iwokrama, in what is called the Guiana shield, is a tropical rainforest reserve. Because there are only three other rainforest ecosystems like this in the world, Iwokrama is invaluable. It’s a part of “the lungs of the earth”.

Moreover, it’s in a pristine state: it is as if it had been untouched by humans. As though nobody had ever cut a tree! But indigenous people have lived there: they have just done so very discreetly, leaving their natural environment pretty much intact.

Guyana’s landscapes and wildlife are not only protected, they are also stunning: the Kaieteur Falls are majestic and it’s as if animals and plants were all “giant”! You can meet giant anteaters, giant water lilies, giant leaf frogs and giant otters!

Because this is such a unique place, Iwokrama has been made into an official reserve. The priority is the preservation of the rainforest. But this does not mean that Guyana refuses to make money out of the forest: it just has to be done sustainably so, with income for the communities that live there rather than gains for investors on the other side of the world.

Adapted from Iwokrama.org.