The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) has extended heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the two PISLM-sponsored awards at the 35th NGC Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards–Guyanese Neil Marks and Shatanand Anude and Jamaica’s Ramardo Lyons. .
The awards ceremony, held on August 13, 2024, in Palencia, Belize, honoured outstanding media professionals for their exceptional contributions to raising awareness and providing insightful coverage on critical environmental issues, with a particular focus on land degradation.
The prestigious award for Best Television Production on Land Degradation Neutrality was presented to Neil Marks and Shatanand Anude of Newsroom Guyana for their compelling story, “Why is Guyana Spending Big to Replant Patches in its Forest.”
The production highlighted the significant impact of mining on deforestation in Guyana, revealing that an estimated 6,470 hectares of forest were cleared last year, primarily due to mining activities. The story also showcased the collaborative efforts between the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to reforest approximately 200,000 hectares of land that had been cleared for mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The Best Article on Land Degradation award recognized the exemplary journalism of Ramardo Lyons from the Jamaica Observer for his insightful piece, “Save the Mangroves Plan Takes Off.” Lyons’ article focused on the University of the West Indies (UWI) Solutions for Developing Countries (SODECO) and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation’s partnership with various agencies, including the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited, to implement a Mangrove Restoration project at Halse Hall Great House in Clarendon.
PISLM received six entries for the Best Television Production on Land Degradation category, including submissions from RJR Communications Group, Great Belize Productions Limited, and Newsroom Inc. Guyana. For the Best Article on Land Degradation category, PISLM received two entries, one from the Jamaica Observer and another from RJRGLEANER Communications Group.
