text:
Janette Bulkan recently wrote a series of six articles published in Guyana's newspaper Stabroek News. The articles look in detail at the operations of an Indian coffee company with logging operations in Guyana.
The articles, which are posted in full below (and can be downloaded here – pdf file, 306.7 KB), ran under the headline "Through a glass, darkly – what's wrong with an Indian coffee retailer exporting logs of prime furniture and flooring timber from Guyana instead of local processing for added value?"
Janette Bulkan is a Social Anthropologist who was Coordinator of the Amerindian Research Unit, University of Guyana from 1985 to 1999 and Senior Social Scientist at the Iwokrama International Centre from 2000 to 2003.
- Part 1 describes "the background to the inherently unlikely involvement of a Main Street coffee retailer from Bengaluru, India, in logging Guyana's tropical rainforest".
- Part 2 discusses "the evidence for compliance and non-compliance with our national policies, laws, regulations and procedures in Guyana's forest sector".
- Part 3 describes "what happened or seems to have happened in the cases of the two concessions acquired by VHPI, the subsidiary of the Café Coffee Day company of Karnataka, India, in 2010."
- Part 4 discusses "the due diligence which should have been carried out prior to giving concessions to Café Coffee Day."
- Part 5 addresses "the commitments made by VHPI to in-Guyana timber processing, its actual exports of unprocessed logs, the ineffective GFC log export commission, and the failures of the GFC and its Minister to act as public servants."
- Part 6 shows "what Guyana has lost through allowing the export by Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) of 50 containers of unprocessed logs of the best timbers, contrary to national policies which have been discussed and endorsed by the National Assembly."
These articles are of crucial importance for the implementation of REDD in Guyana. As Bulkan notes in Part 3: "The lack of transparency of these two deals is contrary to the call for transparency and improvement in forest governance in the Norway-Guyana MoU signed in November 2009."
Through a glass, darkly – what's wrong with an Indian coffee retailer exporting logs of prime furniture and flooring timber from Guyana instead of local processing for added value?
Part 1.
Stabroek News, In The Diaspora, 16 April 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
St. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face' (1 Corinthians 13:12). In Guyana we are still in the dark phase in understanding the intentions and practices of the Indian coffee retailer Coffee Day, Inc., which initially appeared in Guyana under the name Dark Forest Company (S) Pte. Ltd, as first reported in Stabroek News, 15 January 2011, 'Simon and Shock aiming for $19M Rupununi forestry investment'. Coffee Day, now operating here as Vaitarna Holdings Pvt. Inc. (VHPI), reacted immediately to a suggestion in Kaieteur News that its export of almost 50 containers of unprocessed logs of the most prime timbers of Guyana was improper. VHPI assured KN that 'it has the facility like any other forestry company to export logs and other forest products in keeping with the National Log Export Policy and the Government of Guyana guidelines' (Kaieteur News, 6 April 2012, 'Logs shipment…Indian coffee company insists it did nothing wrong – says still in transition phase').
So everything is OK and Guyana is happy to export unprocessed, and without value adding, its prime timbers? No doubt there are some happy people consequentially in Pradoville 2, the new Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). But that does not mean that the two VHPI deals satisfy the actual national policies, that is, policies which have been debated and endorsed by the National Assembly. Nor is it clear that the government (Ministers and agencies) have applied laws, regulations and procedures correctly.
This article describes the background to the inherently unlikely involvement of a Main Street coffee retailer from Bengaluru, India, in logging Guyana's tropical rainforest. A subsequent article will discuss the evidence for compliance and non-compliance with our laws, regulations and procedures, and the broader implications of these deals for the future of Guyana's forest sector.
Background – Caribbean Resources Limited (CRL)
The 355,000 ha timber concession is in the centre of the greenheart-dominated forests of Guyana. The concession was started in 1947/8 as part of the drive to make the then British Guiana more self-sufficient and was held for almost 25 years by the Commonwealth Development Corporation. Losing money heavily in the early Burnham years, the concession was sold to the Government in 1973 with its considerable infrastructural assets. The Government company Guyana Timbers Ltd. took over the management but consistently lost money. In 1989 it was one of the earliest State-Owned Enterprises to be re-privatised under the IMF-supervised structural adjustment programme. An astonishingly low price of US$2.7 million for this rich forest concession was paid by the Trinidad-based insurance company CLICO, which created the subsidiary Caribbean Resources Ltd. (CRL) and received Timber Sales Agreement TSA 04/89 in October 1989 with an effective start of May 1991 and expiry date April 2006 (15 years).
This firesale price attracted the Asian transnational loggers already in Suriname. Two years later the then Malaysian-Korean consortium of Barama obtained its 1.67 million ha concession (later reduced to 1.61 million ha to exclude Amerindian areas) for the equally amazingly low rent of US$2,171 per year in total, now in 2012 reduced to less than US$1,500 per year. Per hectare, Guyanese small-scale loggers having only 2-year concessions and poor-quality, often-logged forest pay 214 times as much rent as Barama. VHPI pays (or should pay) 400 times as much as Barama, per hectare. The absence of logic and equity in the GFC area rents has been commented on repeatedly since 1994.
CRL also failed to manage effectively this rich forest. In his Stabroek News column of 8 February 2009, Chris Ram reported that CLICO's investment in CRL stood at US$7.6 million at December 2007, representing 13 per cent of CLICO Guyana's investments. During 1998-2003, CRL paid the GFC an average of US$73,000 per year but at the end of 2002 was still some US$ 138,000 in debt to the GFC alone.
The last annual return filed by CRL was for 2001. In most years, CRL received over US$10,000 in import tax concessions from the GRA. The GFC observed in mid-2003 that CRL was operating well below capacity. The TSA expired in 2006 but like other TSAs it was rolled over annually by the GFC instead of being advertised internationally for re-bidding at auction. By that date, Ms Singh-Knight, CLICO Guyana's CEO, was also Chairman of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. and in January 2009, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Guysuco, by former President Jagdeo. In mid-2008 the then junior Minister for Forestry noted that CRL had come to some arrangement with the GFC for paying off its debts but it seems that payments did not occur. The GFC rescinded the long-expired TSA 04/89 in 2010 . Following the disclosure by the Times of India, the Ministry of Agriculture in Georgetown admitted that a subsidiary of the Main Street coffee retailer Coffee Day had been allocated the rescinded CRL logging concession during 2010 (Kaieteur News, 10 April 2011, 'Forestry deal with India's coffee maker raises questions').
Background – Simon and Shock International Inc. (SSI)
By Ministerial Order in 1997 and without any public consultation, the GFC obtained a massive expansion of State Forest on State Lands south of the 4th parallel of latitude in 1997, down to the border with Brazil. In December 2005, the GFC advertised only in the local Press for applications for logging concessions in two adjacent areas totaling 390,000 ha in an area rich in biodiversity and almost surrounding the 80,000 ha 'conservation concession' held by Conservation International Guyana. Apparently there was only a single applicant for these two roadless areas, Simon and Shock International Inc. (SSI), a Michigan-based timber broker which claimed to have been buying from Guyana for eight years and which had been expressing interest in logging concessions since 2004.
The GFC Board reviewed the SSI application in January 2006. The Board noted that the applicant had failed to include audited accounts of its business, could cite no relevant experience, had no appropriate equipment and had uncertain financial status. The chairman of the GFC Board recommended due diligence on the application, suggesting international accountants, Dunn & Bradstreet, but this suggestion was not apparently taken up. SSI proposed to invest US$ 26 million, including a modern computer-controlled sawmill at Linden and the transport of logs on such huge trucks from the Rewa area that all the bridges on the Surama-Kurupukari stretch of the Lethem-Linden road would have needed to be replaced and greatly strengthened. SSI, GFC and Go-Invest continued discussions during 2006 and 2007 but the government agencies did not apparently seek external advice, in spite of the US$20,000 application fee for a State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP).
That fee level was designed intentionally to cover the cost of external specialist advice and due diligence; instead the fee went into GFC income. In spite of recorded doubts, the GFC Board approved the SFEP for SSI and it was issued in January 2008.
There are no public records of what SSI did during the three years of its SFEP (3 years is the maximum period). Just before the expiry of the SFEP, a public summary posted on the downloads section of the website of the Environmental Protection Agency on 06 January 2011 included a note that there had been a 100 per cent buy-out of SSI by Dark Forest Company (S) Pte. Ltd.
On 9 April 2011 it was finally admitted by the Government of Guyana that a subsidiary company of Coffee Day, registered in Guyana, now held the former Timber Sales Agreement of Caribbean Resources Limited and the former State Forest Exploratory Permit of Simon and Shock International Inc. In the next article I will discuss how this deal does or does not match our national policies, laws, regulations and administrative procedures.
Part 2.
Stabroek News, In The Diaspora, 24 April 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
Last week's article provided the background on the two forest concessions which were secured in 2010 by the Main Street retailer Café Coffee Day of Karnataka, India. These two concessions were previously held by Caribbean Resources Limited (CRL) in the Bartica Triangle and Simon and Shock International Inc. (SSI) at Rewa Head. This second article discusses the evidence for compliance and non-compliance with our national policies, laws, regulations and procedures in Guyana's forest sector with respect to these two concessions. The text is necessarily dense because of the need to contrast what is stated to have happened compared with what should have happened.
Re-allocation of expired CRL's logging concession TSA 04/89
CLICO's subsidiary Caribbean Resources Limited (CRL) purchased the concession rights in Timber Sales Agreement (TSA) 04/89 for the very low figure of US$2.7 million in 1989, from the loss-making Government-owned Guyana Timbers Ltd. The Government absorbed the debt burden, so that CLICO started CRL debt-free. CRL also ran up large debts in spite of annual tax concessions awarded by the Guyana Revenue Authority, with output well below the annual allowable cut. CRL was not complying with section 6 of the second schedule 'A' of the Forest Regulations 1954. This schedule provides the model text for TSA concession licences. Section 6 says that 'The grantee [concession holder] shall work the area to the satisfaction of the [GFC] Commissioner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement'.
Even if CRL was not one of those concessions obligated to implement the GFC Code of Practice for Timber Harvesting, it was required to implement other GFC requirements. In allowing CRL not to comply, the GFC was itself not complying with its own mandate: 'The functions of the Commission are – (a) to develop, advise the Minister on, and carry out forestry policy'. Recognising the non-compliance of CRL and its rising debt (US$136,000 by the end of 2002) the GFC should have invoked section 16 of the second schedule 'A' of the Forest Regulations 1954: 'In the event of the grantee or assignee failing to observe the terms and conditions of this Agreement … the grantor shall have the right either to fix in its discretion such penalty … in the event of the penalty not being paid within three months of demand … the grantor shall have the right to determine this Agreement and to enter upon the area and take possession of the same altogether …'. Apparently the GFC took no such action.
The 15-year CRL concession TSA 04/89 expired in April 2006, apparently without CRL applying for renewal under section 11 of the Forest Regulations 1954 that requires not less than three months notice. In the absence of such notice, the concession would automatically expire and should have been immediately rescinded or cancelled by the GFC. That also did not happen, but CRL's unpaid debts to the GFC continued to rise. The GFC was well aware of the situation: 'The possibility is also open for provisions to be made for debt reduction for repossession of areas which are underutilized or unutilized' ('Analysis of forest area allocation to Timber Sales Agreements and Wood Cutting Leases', GFC, November 2004, page 47).
Although expired, TSA 04/89 was allowed to continue operations under an unpublished 'policy directive' dated 05 December 2005 for one-year extensions. Who issued this directive, and why and under what authority (given that it contravened the 1997 National Forest Policy) was unclear to the GFA Consulting Group in its scoping study on independent forest monitoring in October 2011 (the report of 16 December 2011 is available on the GFC website, see indicator 1.1.1 on page 15 and several other pages).
By February 2009, CRL's debts to the GFC had reached US$ 9.5 million and the High Court's judicial management of the collapsed CLICO triggered a letter of demand for that amount. There is no evidence that CLICO or CRL paid up. Finally, in mid-2010 the GFC rescinded CRL's possession of TSA 04/89. At this point, the future of these 346,000 ha of forest should have been determined by the GFC strategic plan for forest allocation. The National Forest Plan 2001 makes the GFC 'responsible … for preparing strategic plans for forest allocation and use' (section NFP200, page 6, Forest zoning and classification, in the 2001 plan and also in the 2011 draft revision). Either no such plan has been prepared or it has never been published.
An alternative is offered in the National Forest Policy 1997: 'Concessions shall be transferable to new concessionaires provided that qualifying standards are satisfied' (section III A 4 (d), 1997). However, the GFC has never published any qualifying standards, so this alternative is not valid. The constitutionally dubious Forests Act 2009 is likewise inoperable: in the convoluted Article 16 on transfer of State forest authorisations, sub-Article (5) says that 'On application in writing by a holder, the Commission shall grant written consent … if the Commission is satisfied that the requirements prescribed by regulations are met'. As there are no Regulations yet for the Forests Act 2009, five years after it was drafted in secret in 2007, this transfer process is not usable. Moreover, at least by January 2012, the commencement order required by Article 2 of the Forests Act 2009 had not been promulgated. Anyway, the CRL concession had been rescinded by the GFC so there was no holder to make such an application for transfer.
As the TSA 04/89 had been issued 21 years previously, it would have been appropriate and in accordance with the intentions of the 1993 GFC policy on concessions and the 1996 concept of pre-logging State Forest Exploratory Permits for the CRL area to have been transparently and internationally advertised for open, competitive bidding. The Government of Guyana had agreed with this proposition in issue A3 (licences and concessions) of the annex to the 1994 project document for the GFC Support Project to reform the GFC: 'Concession applications – the procedures for applications and awards of licences of all kinds will be revised, to ensure open competitive bidding, and the opening of new logging areas will be according to a rational plan reflecting the national interest …'.
That proposition was reflected in the National Forest Policy 1997: 'The Guyana Forestry Commission shall develop a fair and transparent framework for the allocation, revocation, renewal and re-negotiation of forest concessions' (section III B 3 (a), page 12) and 'Concession licenses and permits shall be allocated through a process of advertisement and bidding or tendering' (section III A 4 (b), page 10). The 2011 draft revision of the National Forest Policy changes these two statements to 'The Guyana Forestry Commission shall continually implement a fair and transparent framework for the allocation, revocation, renewal and re-negotiation of forest concessions' and 'Concession licences and permits shall be allocated through a transparent process developed by the Commission' (same section numberings as in 1997, pages 21 and 23). The National Forest Plan 2001 states that 'The Forest Policy requires that all commercial utilization of State Forests takes place under concessions or licences issues by the GFC and that allocation of the resources is made in a competitive, fair and transparent manner' (section NFP300, page 7, in both 2001 and draft revision of 2011).
So the intentions of the national policies — that is, as approved by the National Assembly in 1993 and 1997, rather than being only GFC in-house policies — seem clear. Non-compliant forest concessions should be rescinded and treated according to a strategic allocation plan. That may involve open, transparent international, advertisement; open, transparent competitive bidding; and full due diligence checks on the applicants. Now that we have established what the national policies say, what actually happened, or seems to have happened, will be described next week.
Part 3.
Stabroek News, In The Diaspora, 8 May 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
The second article in this series, published by Stabroek News' In the Diaspora on 24 April 2012, described the national policies for allocating forest concessions. In this third article, I describe what happened or seems to have happened in the cases of the two concessions acquired by VHPI, the subsidiary of the Café Coffee Day company of Karnataka, India, in 2010.
Now we come to the obscure part. On or about 07-08 April 2011, the GFC posted on its website a set of procedures covering the issuing of State Forest Permissions (SFP), State Forest Exploratory Permits (SFEP), and Timber Sales Agreements or Wood Cutting Leases (TSA and WCL). These procedures are illustrated by flow charts and are posted on the GFC website as separate documents without the GFC seal, name of the authority issuing the procedures, or dates. These briefly written procedures lack clarity and refer to other documents not in the public domain such as 'GFC Board approved criteria'.
Section 1 of the unheaded, unsigned and undated TSA/WCL issuance procedure says that 'Applicant must have a valid SFEP or have applied for a previously issued concession (TSA/WCL) which has reverted to the State'. Section 11 of this procedure says that 'Areas for re-allocation are not required to undergo the SFEP phase … TSA/WCLs that are being reallocated are required to submit a plan outlining the GFC makes a request for the issuance of the TSA/WCL to the President of Guyana; the request must be signed by the Chairman of the GFC's Board of Directors and the Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for forestry; once approved by the President the GFC issues the TSA/WCL agreement'.
In other words, a single letter of request bypasses the entire process of open, international advertisement, competitive bidding and due diligence checking agreed by the Government of Guyana in 1994, built into the 1997 National Forest Policy endorsed by the National Assembly and partly repeated in the draft revision of 2011.
It is presumably not a coincidence that these unheaded, unsigned and undated procedures were posted just after the disclosure by the Times of India on 07 April 2011 that the Indian retailer Café Coffee Day had 'taken 1.85 million hectares (actually, acres, = 738,000 ha) of Amazonian forestland on a 30-year lease from the Republic of Guyana in South America to start a furniture business in India', and republished in Guyana by Demerara Waves internet radio. The GFC clarified in another unheaded, unsigned and undated posting on its website that this transaction referred to the former CRL concession (TSA 04/89 of 346,000 ha) and the former SSI exploratory area (SFEP 03/07 of 392,000 ha).
As the posting of these concession issuance procedures by the GFC took place more than six months after the deals were concluded with Café Coffee Day, there must be some suspicion that the deals were ultra vires and the procedures published in Guyana because of the disclosure by the Times of India.
The transfer of the SSI SFEP 03/07 had been previously published. Articles in the government-owned Guyana Chronicle and the independent Stabroek News on 15 January 2011 referenced a project summary dated December 2010 on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency which confirmed that transfer of equity control from Simon and Shock International Inc. to Dark Forest Company (S) Pte. Ltd. (DFCPL). The project summary did not state when the transfer of SFEP control had taken place. The undated GFC website posting in April 2011 did not refer to DFCPL but to a newly formed Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI), a subsidiary of Café Coffee Day Limited of India.
The GFC website posting said that 'At the same time [as the approval of the SSI transfer of control], the TSA awarded to Caribbean Resources Limited was also terminated and re-possessed by the GoG in 2010, because of continuous non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the TSA. GoG accepted an offer of G$600 million by VHPI to re-allocate this re-possessed concession of 345,961 hectares. This re-allocation was done in 2010'. CRL's TSA 04/89 now became VHPI's TSA 01/10 with a start date of 07 September 2010 and a duration of 25 years, with the possibility of extension.
Questions in the Press in April 2011 were raised about the process by which VHPI acquired concessions over 738,000 ha of State Forest. Stabroek News carried a report of the statements by Minister Robert Persaud at a Press conference on 12 April 2011 (Stabroek News, 13 April 2011 – 'No big export of logs by Vaitarna – Persaud'). Minister Persaud said –
"Even before the concession leased to CRL was repossessed, GFC had indicated to both CRL management and other concession holders that this concession would be repossessed unless a suitable joint venture or complete takeover was effected by some company. Unfortunately, no company took up the offer", he said. Persaud related that after it took over SSI, VHPI then approached the government and the GFC and applied for the concession to be reallocated to it and this was after it was already public knowledge that the concession was being repossessed.
Responding to questions later, Persaud said that not because someone doesn't hear of it means that something has not been public. The stakeholders particularly those companies adjacent and those operating in the forestry sector were made aware and the GFC from time to time would also have outreach meetings, he stated. The Minister also said that ads are placed in the media from time to time inviting persons who are interested, to come and uplift information on particular concessions, SFEPs and areas that are to be allocated and this is done constantly. He said that he was puzzled by the suggestions of secrecy.
GFC Head James Singh said that in the case of CRL's TSA an ad was placed in the media sometime around last July [2010]. "This company heard, knew about it, probably saw the ad in the newspaper and came in", Persaud added.
In such a sensitive case, it seems surprising that the Commissioner of the GFC could not remember exactly when an advertisement was placed (presumably for one day only and presumably only in the government-owned newspapers) for a logging concession of 346,000 ha in the richest forest of Guyana. No subsequent statement or evidence has backed the claim of the GFC Commissioner. In its editorial on the subject on 25 April 2011, Stabroek News commented "… had there been a functioning Access to Information Act as promised umpteen times in the breach by the government the media might have been able to unearth much earlier and progressively, information on this transaction thereby helping to obviate concerns that the deal was secret and with dark underpinnings. After more than 18 years in office this government remains deaf to the manner in which agreements of this type ought to be publicized".
Even if that advert was placed, it does not comply with the 1994 agreement and its obscurity was contrary to the National Forest Policy (referenced above) for transparency. It is also surprising that a coffee retailer in India with no previous experience of logging in tropical rainforest or of Guyana should have been able to respond to the TSA advert and to secure a transfer of ownership of the failing SSI SFEP at or about the same time.
The lack of transparency of these two deals is contrary to the call for transparency and improvement in forest governance in the Norway-Guyana MoU signed in November 2009.
Transfer of equity control of the expiring SSI State Forest Exploratory Permit SFEP 03/07
The process of transfer of equity control from the Michigan-based SSI to the Karnataka-based Café Coffee Day presumably took place sometime in the second half of 2010. The transfer process was described in the first part of this series, published by Stabroek News' In The Diaspora column on Monday 16 April 2012. It is unclear if Café Coffee Day was aware that SFEPs are for a maximum of three years and there is no provision in the forest law for extension or renewal. The SFEP 03/07 expired in January 2011, before the news broke in April of the Café Coffee Day involvement. So Café Coffee Day appears now to be holding an expired SFEP, unless the time between the suspension of the SSI contract in 2009 and the completion of the equity transfer process has been added to the original period. Even so, with that addition, the SFEP should have expired by now.
This complicated story recalls the poetic lines 'Oh what a tangled web we weave / when first we practise to deceive'. The deception also hides Asian dominance of Guyana's forests. According to available GFC data, 77 per cent (or 5.6 Mha) of forest concessions are large-scale, long-term concessions. While there is no information on the ownership of concessions in the public domain, the former President informed in his LCDS that 70 per cent of forest companies were foreign-owned, and that he intended to keep it that way (Office of the President 2008, page 26). It seems likely that with the VHPI takeover, all the foreign companies in the forestry sector are now of Asian provenance.
In the fourth article in this series, I will discuss the due diligence which should have been carried out prior to giving concessions to Café Coffee Day.
Part 4.
Stabroek News, Daily, Features, 9 May 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
In this fourth article in this series, I will discuss the due diligence which should have been carried out prior to giving forest concessions to Café Coffee Day, and some of the associated issues.
Due diligence – Simon and Shock International Inc. (SSI) – SFEP 03/07
SSI began negotiations in 2004 and paid the application fee of US$ 20,000 when replying to the advertisement for SFEP 03/07 in December 2005. Article 6 (2) of the Forests Act 1953/1997 requires the GFC to check that SFEP applicants have:
(a) adequate financial resources, technical competence and experience to carry on effective exploratory operations;
(b) an adequate programme of exploratory operations;
(c) satisfactory proposals for the employment and training of Guyanese;
(d) objectives which are compatible with national development objectives.
In addition, the GFC's SFEP manual of procedures and the information sheet accompanying the application form (April 1999) state that a SFEP will not be issued for any area that is occupied, claimed or used by Amerindians.
The GFC Board of Directors was doubtful about the actual technical competence of SSI and about its financial status, in relation to its brochure proposing to invest US$26 million on a computer-controlled sawmill at Linden and giant trucks. The chairman of the GFC Board suggested a financial check by international accountants Dunn and Bradstreet. That kind of due diligence check is precisely why the application fee of US$20,000 is set so high for State Forest Exploratory Permits (SFEPs), to pay for such scrutiny. However, it is unlikely that this external expertise was used by the GFC or by Go-Invest. After prolonged haggling, the GFC issued the SFEP in January 2008.
Requirements to be completed within the three years of a SFEP include forest product inventories, topographic surveys, social and environmental surveys and studies, preparation of an investment proposal for the harvesting and utilization of forest produce, and for the preparation of environmental and social impact assessments and an environmental management plan, and a forest management plan. It is not clear from the public record if SSI completed any of these studies and plans before the GFC suspended the SFEP in 2009.
In its undated statement (on its website from mid-April 2011) the GFC stated that it had completed the necessary due diligences to allow a transfer of the SFEP from SSI to DFCPL (a subsidiary of Café Coffee Day, Karnataka, India) in 2010. It is unclear how the GFC determined that a coffee plantation company and Main Street coffee retailer in India complied with the four eligibility requirements of Article 6 (2) of the Forests Act 1953/1997, mentioned above, or what other kinds of due diligence checks were conducted.
The transfer included assumption by DFCPL of the SSI outstanding debts to the GFC of US$254,000. Article 6 (9) of the Forests Act 1953/1997 provides for a performance bond to be posted by the applicant. It is not clear if such a bond was posted initially by SSI, exhausted by the non-performance of SSI, or forfeited to pay penalties before the SFEP was suspended in 2009. It is also unclear if the DFCPL/VHPI takeover of SFEP 03/07 included the posting by VHPI of a new performance bond. And if not, why not?
The undated GFC statement of April 2011 stated that DFCPL's work on the SFEP was 'currently being finalized'. That seems unlikely, unless SSI had indeed already undertaken exploratory work and had handed over the results to DFCPL.
Due diligence – former Caribbean Resources Limited (CRL, TSA 04/89), now VHPI TSA 01/10
The CRL subsidiary of Trinidad-based CLICO had purchased the TSA from the government-owned Guyana Timbers Ltd. at a very low price and apparently without competitive bidding in 1989. If the GFC 1993 concessions policy and the 1994 concept of SFEPs, and/or the still unwritten national strategic plan for forest allocation required by the National Forest Policy 1997/2011, had been applied to the long-expired and recently-rescinded CRL concession in early-mid 2010, then the CRL area should have been transparently and internationally advertised for new competitive bidding.
However, the procedure possibly used for awarding the former CRL TSA 04/89 to Café Coffee Day's subsidiary Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) as TSA 01/10 involved a short (one-day?) advertisement in July 2010, a single response from VHPI, and a speedy award of the TSA to VHPI in early September. Any due diligence on VHPI or its parent company Café Coffee Day in India would have been completed in less than two months. As Café Coffee Day had no relevant experience or qualifications, staff or equipment, there must be questions about the checks which should have been carried out by the GFC and Go-Invest. In contrast, the checks before the SFEP was issued to SSI took the whole of the two years 2006 and 2007. The GFC's 1993 concession policy states that 'TSAs will be granted to applicants with proven ability …'
In its statement dated 13 April 2011, section 16, the Ministry of Agriculture asserted that 'Regarding due diligence checks, the public is assured that a comprehensive due diligence was done; this due diligence has proven that the company has the necessary expertise to undertake the various tasks that are required; it also established that the company has sufficient financial resources, and has a track record of carrying out harvesting and processing operation efficiently'. No evidence was provided in support of this statement.
Although that TSA had last been sold in 1989 and re-started in 1991, and had expired in April 2006, the GFC has not indicated if the incoming VHPI has to prepare a new forest management plan, a business plan, an environmental and social assessment and associated environmental management plan; or no plans at all?
VHPI paid a premium of US$3 million for the 346,000 ha of the TSA 01/10, just US$0.3 million more than CLICO paid for it in 1989, 21 years earlier. That premium was not paid into the accounts of the GFC or into the Consolidated Fund but was used to pay off some of the stakeholders who had lost money in the CLICO bankruptcy. This use of the premium was apparently authorized by the Minister of Forests, at that time Bharrat Jagdeo.
In the fifth article in this series, I will address the commitments made by VHPI to in-Guyana timber processing, its actual exports of unprocessed logs, the ineffective GFC log export commission, and the failures of the GFC and its Minister to act as public servants.
Part 5.
Stabroek News, Daily, Features, 10 May 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
In this fifth article in this series, I will discuss the commitments made by VHPI to in-Guyana timber processing, its actual exports of unprocessed logs, the ineffective GFC log export commission, and the failures of the GFC and its Minister to act as public servants.
VHPI commitment to in-Guyana timber processing
In the same Ministry statement of 13 April 2011, section 13, the Ministry of Agriculture asserted that 'the company will engage in added value activities … Vaitarna has committed to downstream processing and they will be monitored against same', but gave no details and no timescale. The Government of Guyana has apparently learned nothing from the similarly vague assurances about inward investment given by Barama, Ja Ling, Bai Shan Lin and other Asian loggers of Guyana's forests. While DFCPL promised to invest US$ 18.7 million in the Rewa concession SFEP 03/07 during 2010-2015, VHPI has indicated no amount for the TSA 01/10. The Times of India reported on 07 April 2011 the intention of taking logs from Guyana through the port of Mangalore to a furniture factory in Chikmagalur. According to Forbes Magazine on 29 June 2011, that factory of 56,000 m2 (600,000 square feet) had not yet been built. The intention of the owner of Café Coffee Day was 'to build India's largest retail furniture business' and his dream was 'to create an IKEA from India'. So what was the final destination of those 50 containers of logs from TSA 01/10?
VHPI's actual log exports
VHPI has begun to ship out as unprocessed logs the timbers in the Special Category royalty class, that is, the premium quality timbers of Guyana. The Minister for Agriculture assured that VHPI 'will first have to present GFC with a full business plan' (Kaieteur News, 13 April 2011 – 'Govt. insists nothing secret about concessions'). Was this full business plan actually presented and what did it say about processing in Guyana, employment and training of Guyanese? A year later, VHPI could only say 'we are currently exploring the feasibility of setting up a wood processing plant at various locations' (Kaieteur News, 06 April 2012 – 'Logs shipment…Indian coffee company insists it did nothing wrong – says still in transition phase'). Was that in the business plan approved by the GFC?
Kaieteur News also reported that 'The majority of logs shipped out are said to be washiba … also shipped were purpleheart, greenheart and snakewood' (Kaieteur News, 05 April 2012 – 'Indian coffee company ships out 50 containers of logs in 2 months'). According to the GFC's official species list, snakewood is a royalty class III species, also known as tureli, botanically Zygia racemosa in the family Mimosaceae, synonym Pithecellobium racemosum. Why would a furniture company be shipping logs of snakewood? Presumably VHPI is actually shipping the rare timber letterwood, in the higher-value Special Category royalty class, botanically Brosimum guianense in the family Moraceae, which is sometimes also called snakewood but not in the GFC species list. As the GFC has been penalizing small-scale producers for not using the GFC-approved names, presumably VHPI has also been penalized for this error which could also impact royalty payments?
The GFC noted in its return to the then fortnightly Tropical Timber Market report of the International Tropical Timber Organization 16 (23) 1-15 December 2011 that 'Guyana washiba in the form of dressed sawnwood attracted a remarkable price average of US$2,500 per cubic metre'. But the GFC is happy for VHPI to export logs at one-tenth of that price (declared FOB), contrary to the national and PPP policies for processing in Guyana. Washiba (Tabebuia species) is a rare tree in Guyana, about one tree per 133 ha according to inventories in seven logging concessions in 2006 (GFC background paper 'Proposal for the ban of exports of selected species in log form', table 2, January 2007). In early 2007, the GFC was proposing a total ban on the export of logs of purpleheart, letterwod and washiba, as well as 12 other timbers, but now it is happy to see them continue to go out from VHPI as unprocessed logs.
The variable rate export commission on logs – fiscally ineffective but profitable for GFC
It is an interesting question as to why the GFC has switched from a desire to ban log exports of most of the valuable timbers of Guyana in January 2007 to support for such export by mid-2008. The national consultation in February 2007 involved some 350 stakeholders and was almost unanimous in support of such a ban on log exports. In terms of conservation of standing stocks of these timbers, employment, upskilling of the labour force, addition of value (and the associated tax revenue from enterprises adding value), export of unprocessed logs is clearly contrary to national policies as approved by the National Assembly. The GFC provided a well-researched post-consultation paper in March 2007, based on a demand study, as to why some timbers should be entirely retained for domestic use in Guyana while others appeared to be in surplus to domestic consumption.
However, by mid-2008, the GFC had changed to favour an increase in the export commission on logs. From January 2009, 26 species have had their log export commission rates raised from 2 per cent to 7 per cent in 2009, 10 per cent in 2010 and 10 or 12 per cent in 2011. Those increases had no effect on the major exporter Barama, whose secret Foreign Direct Investment agreement requires only a 2 per cent payment on greenheart logs and which agreement the Government seems scared to revoke. Minister Persaud has frequently claimed that the GFC log export policy has been a success, but the GFC does not release production and trade data to allow confirmation of that claim. For purpleheart, one of the more contentious and locally preferred timbers, the published evidence is ambiguous –
Purpleheart log export volumes as percentages of total log export volumes (GFC data)
Purpleheart was one of the Special Category (highest royalty rate) timbers listed among the VHPI log exports.
For other log traders, besides Barama, the increase from 2 per cent in 2008 to 12 per cent in 2011 for some timbers is fiscally ineffective in changing the trade patterns and volumes. Log exports continue to flourish, with the associated illegalities (see my four-part series on 'The rule of law – not in the forest sector of Guyana', Stabroek News 16 and 30 January, 06 February and 10 February 2012). The consistent undervaluation of Guyana's best timbers in FOB declarations compared with technically equivalent timbers elsewhere is indicative of large-scale transfer pricing.
So who is benefitting from the small increases in log export commission? There is no VAT on unprocessed logs for export, so not the Guyana Revenue Authority. One major beneficiary is the GFC itself. The introduction of higher and variable rates of export commission appears to have tripled the GFC income from this source, from about US$ 0.5 million in 2006 to US$ 1.9 million in 2010 and over US$ 1.6 million in the first nine months of 2011. Because of the GFC's failure to publish data by individual exporters, unlike the former Guyana Timber Export Board, it is not possible to estimate how much Barama saves through the tax concessions in its foreign direct investment agreement, so my estimates have to include Barama as paying the full rates. The Minister has stated that VHPI pays the full rates of export commission. Like all but one of the GFC income streams, the export commission is retained by the GFC and not paid into the Consolidated Fund. The massive increase in GFC income may have been undetected because of the GFC's persistent failure to produce annual reports and audited accounts and to lay them in the National Assembly. Note that the estimates of export commission are only for logs. Because GFC publications do not differentiate the exported lumber which is free of commission if kiln-dried from the taxable air-dried lumber, an analysis for lumber was not possible.
Engagement of Minister Persaud with stakeholders
At the time of the Press conference on the VHPI concessions in April 2011, Minister Persaud said that he was 'ready to debate and discuss the sector's management, stewardship, the policies and whatever is being done within the GFC at anytime, at anyplace, and with anyone' (Stabroek News, 13 April 2011 – 'No big export of logs by Vaitarna – Persaud'). In contrast to that assurance, Minister Persaud has failed to answer the questions about VHPI raised in Press letters on 10, 12, 14, 28 April and 3 May 2011, an editorial by Stabroek News on 25 April 2011, and a request for the relevant documents on 28 April (the Ministry and GFC having said that it would provide documents). Minister Persaud was invited by letter and telephone to appear on the Plain Talk television programme to respond about VHPI but did not answer the invitations.
Reversing his position on open discussion, Minister Persaud stated that there was a policy of not responding (Stabroek News, 21 June 2011 – 'Logs in shipment where cocaine found were in-transit in Jamaica – Singh') and most recently he has asserted that he has 'no interest in being ensnared in a publicity exercise to justify relevance and funding' (Stabroek News, 16 April 2012 – 'Purpleheart not being unsustainably managed').
This bunker-like attitude is incompatible with negotiation of a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) under the European Union's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan (2003). Development of a VPA involves much public consultation and includes provision for independent forest monitoring.
Publication of the openly requested information about VHPI would be good practice for the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and for the GFC.
The GFC's curious reversal of approach to log exports during 2007-8 and Minister Persaud's bunker approach both suggest that the World Bank's assessment of the GFC in 1993 is still relevant – 'a perfect example of the "capture theory of regulation" whereby the regulatory body is controlled by the industry it is supposed to regulate' (Stabroek News, 29 October 1993, quoted in Colchester (1997:102). But this view is opposed by the evidence of the good work on policy options for log exports shown in 2007 and again for the 2012 revision of the GFC export policy. It is also opposed by the GFC's attempts, after a 60-year delay, to introduce working systematically through contiguous logging blocks in the long-term large-scale logging concessions (TSAs).
The parent company of VHPI, Café Coffee Day in India, had posted on its website in April 2011 its commitments to social responsibilities, conservation principles, sustainable farming, values and principles, integrity and trust. Some of these aspirations have since disappeared from the website.
It would be an encouraging signal for the FLEGT VPA if the GFC and VHPI could together demonstrate in practice what each of the two entities has or has had as policy.
This fifth article provides the background to the sixth article which will show how the debate on revision of the GFC log export policy can show transparently the costs and profits of log exports versus in-Guyana processing.
Part 6.
Stabroek News, Daily, Features, 11 May 2012.
By Janette Bulkan
Costs, values and profits
In the first five articles in this series I outlined the processes by which two large-scale forest concessions in Guyana were acquired by a Main Street coffee retailer in Karnataka, India, in 2010. I contrasted those processes with the national policies. In the sixth and last article in this series I show what Guyana has lost through allowing the export by Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) of 50 containers of unprocessed logs of the best timbers, contrary to national policies which have been discussed and endorsed by the National Assembly. This sixth article which will show how the debate on revision of the GFC log export policy can show transparently the costs and profits of log exports versus in-Guyana processing. I use the method of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) in its background paper 'National log export policy, version 2, year 2012 to 2014' (January 2012) and the GFC-estimated costs of production, but I have used market prices as reported by the GFC or by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).
Unprocessed logs
In 2005, the GFC estimated a production cost of US$ 55/m3 from forest to mill gate or ship side, and US$ 62/m3 in 2007. Asian loggers such as Barama and Ja Ling estimated US$ 80/m3 in their Initial Public Offering background papers in 2007, apparently including an internal profit margin. By January 2012 this GFC estimate had increased to US$ 100/m3. No reason was given for the increase, but rising fuel prices could account for much of the difference.
VHPI's 50 containers loaded to the maximum weight would take 1250 m3. The average declared FOB price for purpleheart was US$ 236/m3 according to the GFC Forest Sector Information Report for calendar year 2011 but the higher value timber washiba was the major component in these containers (Kaieteur News, 05 April 2012 – 'Indian coffee company ships out 50 containers of logs in 2 months') so here I use US$ 250/m3. So the nominal income and profit to VHPI in Guyana from these shipments of 50 containers are –
Landed log prices in India and China paint a different picture
ITTO does not report a CIF price for logs imported into China from Guyana so I have used the price for merbau, a South East Asian timber nearly equivalent technically to Guyanese purpleheart (ITTO Timber Trade Market Report 16 (23) 1-15 December 2011, page 14, price for merbau logs at Guangzhou City imported timber wholesale market = Yuan 3500-4000/m3 = US$ 551-629/m3). Guyanese timbers in the Special Category royalty class are better than merbau for flooring because they resist better the impact of high heels.
The large probable profits on log exports from Guyana at the points of entry into India (New Mangalore port) and China (Guangzhou) are associated with the consistently low FOB rates reported from Guyana to ITTO in contrast to the rates for technically comparable timbers from other tropical regions. This consistent difference is a strong indicator of (illegal) transfer pricing. Note also the comment from Professor C Y Thomas that 'Guyana is the prototypical price-taker in international commodity markets' (Guyana: Economic performance and outlook (the recent scramble for natural resources), Institute of Development Studies, University of Guyana, April 2012, page 8).
Timber decking
Continuing to apply the GFC method, here is the estimate for what could have been earned if those 1250 m3 of logs had been converted into export quality timber decking. The timbers exported by VHPI in those 50 containers were all premium species, hard and durable and resistant to impact. Timbers named in the Kaieteur News articles were greenheart, purpleheart and washiba. Snakewood was also named, probably a mis-naming of letterwood, and more likely to be used for decorative inlay in furniture than for flooring or decking.
The GFC accepts the low conversion rate of 40 per cent from log to lumber in the antiquated Guyanese fixed sawmills, although trials using high-strain narrow-kerf portable bandmills will give up to 70 per cent conversion. In contrast, the GFC gives a 80 per cent export quality output for lumber and decking rather than the more usual 2/3 export quality, 1/3 domestic quality. 1250 m3 of logs can thus be sawn into 500 m3 of lumber and converted into 400 m3 of export quality lumber or decking (1250 m3 logs multiplied by 40/100 x 80 per cent = 400 m3). GFC applies the kilning and moulding costs to the entire sawn output although it would be commercially sensible to dry and mould only the sawnwood which is likely to be of export quality. GFC estimates a price for decking of US$1300/m3 in January 2012 for purpleheart. This seems low when US$2875 is the price for washiba timber decking imported from Brazil into the USA, given in the same ITTO TTM Report for December 2011 mentioned above.
Sawn lumber, dressed
Nominal profits are of course lower for exported timber which is only dressed or rough-sawn –
Sawn lumber, rough
The figure below shows the comparison between the export options. The ITTO diagnostic mission to Guyana in 2002 noted in its 2003 report that 'It is hard to see that the current practice of exporting logs at very low prices is helpful to Guyana' (ITTO 2003 executive summary, page 13) and this remains true a decade later. This analysis also shows how ineffective in changing the behaviour of log exporters is the export commission when that tax is set so low and adjusted only at long intervals by administrative decision. Instead, the log export commission should be set more conventionally and frequently in relation to a floor price verified by independent trade specialists.
It is entirely rational for the Asian log traders and their Guyanese spokespersons to argue for a lowering or elimination of the log export commission, in order to enhance their already huge profits especially in the trade to China, but such a lowering would be absolutely contrary to national policies endorsed by the National Assembly in 1997.
Note that the costs and profits from exporting logs to India, and from producing and exporting timber decking from Guyana, are almost identical. However, once the logs are in India they can be converted to added-value products. So from the point of view of Café Coffee Day and its subsidiary VHPI it makes sense to export unprocessed logs. Contrariwise, it makes sense in terms of national policy in Guyana to increase the export commission substantially and so lower the commercial profit on log export, thus providing a commercial stimulus to process in Guyana. The tables above can easily be converted into spreadsheets and Excel charts. The GFC, Forest Products Association, Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, and any individual enterprise can use such spreadsheets and charts to test the effects on costs and profits of changing disaggregated costs (such as higher or lower electricity bills) and changing sale prices.
Rationalising the log export commission is unlikely by itself to stimulate the local forest products industry, increase employment or skills, or enlarge the tax base. Local and external consultants have repeatedly pointed out that the Government needs to take a more integrated approach –
- rationalize the foreign direct investment (FDI) arrangements and eliminate the absurd cost advantage given to Asian log traders through tax concessions when they provide no added value in Guyana;
- ensure that Go-Invest and the Guyana Revenue Authority operate a level playing field for tax audits and tax concessions in the forest sector, instead of the political favouritism now evident;
- re-creating a development bank, perhaps similar to GAIBANK, to make use of the excess liquidity in Guyanese commercial banks for investing in the forest products industry, but learning from the bad experiences of loan defaults of the 1970s and 1980s with sector-related credit;
- reduce the opportunities for corruption in the Customs and Trade Administration which I have detailed in a previous article (Stabroek News, 30 January 2012 – 'The rule of law – inefficiency and corruption in the export of timber logs to Asia') and continue the simplification of the Customs bureaucracy by reducing the choke points for administrative discretion;
- similarly reduce the opportunities for corruption in the Guyana Forestry Commission, eliminating all opportunities for administrative discretion and negotiated penalties, rationalizing the use of the 'compounding' system of minor penalties in accordance with the valid Forest Act 1953 and Forest Regulations 1954, and eliminating the grossly unfair and mis-applied system for sharing out penalty income among GFC staff.
Guyana does not have to be a basket case in forest products processing, and does not have to be the prototypical price taker. Not only the Government agencies but also the private sector enterprises need to operate like normal businesses in developed countries.
PHOTO Credit: V G Siddhartha, owner of Café Coffee Day.


text:
The unique ingredients in OXYGEN BOTANICALS™ Super Hydrating Cream helps restore a youthful and healthy radiance to aging skin by retaining and delivering water to the skin. It also helps the skin reconstruct its natural moisturizing factors.
This non-greasy formulation, with a super moisturizing agent, enjoys widespread reputation as a restorative rejuvenator for dry and aging skin types, smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and balancing the natural pH of the skin. As a result, it leaves a smooth, velvety feel while it continues to hydrate the skin for hours.
"The 240ml Jar is designed for Professional Use Only. For purchase and/or order this item please register online."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
1) Check electrode site selection. Site selection is key in patients with heavy or labored breathing. If possible, move electrodes to sites that will minimize electrode movement.
2) Is the patient moving excessively? Is patient's breathing labored? Encourage the patient to relax and breathe using the diaphragm rather than chest expansion.
3) Is the monitor in diagnostic mode rather than monitoring mode? Changing to the monitoring mode can reduce respiratory artifact.
4) Check the electrodes to see if they have dried out. If so, replace.
5) Patient Cable movement? If the patient cable is moving excessively, wandering baseline can occur. If possible, secure the cable with a garment clip or safety pin.
6) Leadwire movement? If possible, leadwires should be secured to eliminate movement. Leadwires should be checked for wear. If the leadwire has been used for an extended period of time, connections can become "stretched" causing excessive leadwire movement.
7) Has proper skin prep been performed? With most skin types, no skin prep is required. However, patients with excessively oily skin may require prepping with an alcohol or acetone wipe. Loss of contact may result if the solution is not allowed to dry completely and is trapped under the electrode. Placement sites should be shaved in excessively hairy patients.
8) Skin impedance varies greatly from patient to patient. Even with proper skin preparation, a patient with high skin impedance may cause a delay in receiving a stable trace.
1) Check connections:
a. Is the cable fully inserted into the monitor?
b. Are the leadwires fully inserted into the cable?
c. Are the leadwires securely attached to the electrodes? If the leadwires have been used for an extended period of time, the connections can become "stretched" causing intermittent contact.
2) Are the electrodes dry? If so, replace.
3) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient's skin? Is additional skin prep required?
4) Check for damaged leadwires and cables. Use a continuity tester.
1) Check gain control for proper setting.
2) Check brightness control for proper setting.
3) Check lead selector switch. Make certain it is in the "on" position.
4) Are the electrodes dry? If so, replace.
5) Is the correct patient cable being used?
6) Check the leadwires and cables for damage. Use a continuity tester.
7) Check connections:
a. Is the patient cable fully inserted into the monitor?
b. Are the leadwires fully inserted into the patient cable?
c. Are the leadwires securely attached to the electrodes?
8) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient? Is additional skin prep necessary?
9) Suggest that a technician check monitor function according to the manufacturer's specifications.
1) Is the gain control adjusted correctly?
2) Is the signal a normal complex for the patient?
3) Check the electrode site selection. Improper positioning of the electrodes can affect trace amplitude.
4) Check leadwire/patient cable/electrode connections.
5) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient? Is additional skin prep necessary?
6) Are the electrodes dry? If so, replace.
7) Check for leadwire and patient cable damage. Use a continuity tester.
1) Is the gain control set too high?
2) Check the surrounding area for electrical devices (T.V., radio, small appliances). If possible, move them.
3) Check with the hospital engineer to determine if there is concealed wiring in the walls of the room where you are using the monitor. A fully shielded patient cable is recommended.
4) Check to see if ungrounded electrical equipment is plugged into the same outlet.
5) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient? Was proper skin prep performed?
6) Are the electrodes dry? If so, replace.
7) Check for patient cable and leadwire damage. Use a continuity tester.
8) Check leadwire/patient cable/electrode connections.
9) Is a five-lead patient cable being used to monitor three leads? If so, the open -receptacles should be plugged.
10) Is the patient cold or nervous? Muscle tremors can cause interference.
11) Is the patient touching metal or a nearby wall during monitoring?
12) Is the nurse or doctor touching the electrode during monitoring?
1) Reduce excessive wire lengths. Longer wires can act as antennas for R.F. current. If long wires are used, coil the excess wire. In this case when we speak of wires, they include:
a. wires for electrosurgical pens
b. patient cables
c. leadwires
d. cables for electrosurgical grounding pads
2) Check all wires for damage.
3) Wires must not run parallel to or cross over cables for the electrosurgical generator. If they do, capacitive coupling may occur.
4) Wires must not touch a conductive surface (I.V. pole, metal table, etc.).
5) The monitor and electrosurgical generator must be as far apart as possible.
6) Power levels for the electrosurgical generator should be set at a reasonable level.
7) Spark gap electrosurgical generators can cause greater interference.
8) Use shielded leadwires and cables.
1) Check alarm setting to ensure that it is appropriate for the patient being monitored.
2) Check leadwire/patient cable/electrode connections.
3) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient? Was proper skin prep performed?
4) Check electrode site selection.
5) Secure patient cables and leadwires. Excessive movement can cause a heart rate alarm.
1) Check the leadwire/patient cable/electrode connections.
2) Check the leadwires and patient cables for damage. Use a continuity tester.
3) Are the electrodes securely attached to the patient? Was proper skin prep performed?
1) Did the patient have a rash or skin irritation prior to the electrode application?
2) Was a residue of prepping solution (acetone, alcohol, etc.), adhesive remover, skin lotions or conditioners trapped under the electrode?
3) Was an excessively harsh skin prep used (dental burr, coarse sandpaper, etc.)?
4) Is the patient sensitive to certain gels, adhesives or prepping solutions?
5) Has the electrode site been used repeatedly?
6) Has additional and/or different gel been added?
7) Has an additional and/or different adhesive medium been used?
8) Does the electrode gel contain an excessive high chloride concentration?
9) Were the electrodes used while electrosurgery was performed? R.F. current can cause irritation or heating under the electrode.
10) Check for DC leakage from the monitor.
1) Check the electrode site selection. Diminished adhesion can occur if electrodes are placed over bony areas or creases and folds in the skin.
2) If acetone or alcohol were used and a sufficient drying time was not allowed, adhesion will be affected.


text:
There are all different kinds of riders in the motorcycle world. There are those who like to go off road, those who like to ride for fun, others who like adventure and of course those who love to dominate the streets. For the latter super bikes are the way to go because they offer incredible style, speed, power and handling that make for an all around epic riding experience. in this video we get the pleasure of checking out some of the top ten fastest accelerating super bikes on the market currently. These bikes offer ridiculous speed that will leave its rider with a massive adrenaline rush! To check out the powerful bikes click the video!
Wow if you liked that video be sure to check the out next one below.


text:
[Ed. Note: In February 1919, Scott Reading was put on trial under the Espionage Act of May 16, 1918 for having written a famous pamphlet, The Great Madness, in 1917. While the US government sent many pacifists and activists to prison under this act, not one actual agent of the enemy of the day (Germany) was ever convicted... The last lines of the pamphlet read: "The plutocracy and the democracy cannot exist side by side. If the plutocracy wins, dollars rule; if the democracy wins, people rule. There can be no alternative and no compromise. During the past three years of struggle, the democracy has lost every move. The power of the plutocracy has been strengthened immeasurably." Sounds familiar? Here are excerpts of his closing argument.]
Gentlemen, I am on trial here before you, charged with obstructing the recruiting and enlistment service to the detriment of the service, to the injury of the service, and with attempting and causing insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny and the refusal of duty within the military and naval forces ...
The prosecution has not been able to show a single instance in which recruiting was obstructed ... a single instance in which insubordination, disloyalty, and refusal of duty were caused. It has been 17 or 18 months since this pamphlet was published. During that time there have been about 19,000 copies of it loose in the country, and the prosecution was unable to bring before you a single instance where these things have actually occurred. ...
So that the only act that is alleged against me is an expression of my opinions: writing in this book and expressing my opinions on the St. Louis Proclamation, of the Socialist Party platform. ... I am charged with writing and having sent that writing to a publisher and had it published ... therefore if I am convicted under this indictment I will be convicted for an expression of my opinions. There is no other evidence before you except my opinions. ...
I believe that democracy is a better form of social organization than aristocracy, or monarchy or any other form of government that the world has ever known. Discussion is one of the purposes of democracy. Democracy means that a people talking a question over, thinking it out and reaching a decision upon it, may then register that decision.
The only way to have intelligent public opinion is to have discussion, and the moment you check discussion you destroy democracy. ... The only way in which we can preserve democracy is to reserve to every citizen of the democracy the right to express the convictions that he has: the right to be right and the right to be wrong. The Constitution does not guarantee us only the right to be correct, we have a right to be honest and in error. And the views that I have expressed in this pamphlet I expressed honestly. I believe they are right. The future will show whether or not I was correct, but under the laws, as I understand it, and under the Constitution as I understand it, every citizen in this country has a right to express himself subject always to the law, subject always to the limitations which the law prescribes has a right to express himself on public questions. The moment any administration enters and shuts down that right, that moment democracy ceases to exist. ...
I am an American, my ancestors have been Americans for more than 200 years. As an American I have certain rights and certain duties. Among my rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution are the rights of free speech and the free press; the right to speak and print the convictions that I have. It was for those rights that our ancestors left Europe and came here. It is for those rights that some of us are contending today.
I do not care for the prosperity of this country if we are going to have gag laws. I care not for the wealth of this country if we are going to be forbidden to have free speech, and an opportunity for expressing our minds and expressing our opinions and discussing the great issues that are before us. ... In America we want liberty. And I believe that as an American citizen, that is the dearest possession for which I can contend. That is my right constitutionally and legally. But if there were no constitution and no law, it would be my right as a member of a democratic society.
... Citizenship involves duties as well as rights. ... When I believe that our country is in danger, our common life and our common liberties are in peril, then it is my duty to warn you, it is my duty to speak out and continue to speak out as long as I have an opportunity to do so....
Gentlemen, I want to say to you that I want to see America free. I want to see liberty, opportunity and democracy here, as well as in every other country on earth. As long as America is not free, you are not free and I am not free. ...
I have expressed my hopes, my ideals, my ambitions for liberty in America, and for brotherhood and peace among all people of the world. I have done what I could, and for the time being the matter is in your hands.
[Scott Nerring was acquitted.]
[Source: A Scott Nearing Reader: The Good Life in Bad Times by Steve Sherman (Editor), Helen K. Nearing, Scarecrow Press, 1989; ISBN: 0810821443. p89 - The full text of Nearing's closing argument can be read on the Web at the site of the Veterans For Peace, Gainesville, Florida, Chapter 78. These excerpts come from the Web site of Jean Hay, a political columnist, investigative reporter, book author, farmer, and political candidate, who lives on a 30-acre farm in Dixmont, Maine, where she and her husband grow vegetables and raspberries for two farmers' markets.]
Scott Nearing [1883-1983], was a social critic of imperialism, a radical whose ideas and opinions led him to be ostracized by the US society after World War I. He lost his various teaching jobs, the main press spurned him, publishers refused his work and he slowly withdrew to a quieter life in Vermont and finally in Maine where he and his wife lived with few ties to the market economy. He is known for having spawned the 'conscientious self-reliance' that has inspired many modern homesteaders. Nearing dated the end of the American Republic and the beginning of Empire to the 1899 Philippine War. As he wrote in The American Empire (New York: Rand School of Social Science, 1921), "The end of the nineteenth century saw the end of the Republic about which men like Jefferson and Lincoln wrote and dreamed. The New Century marked the opening of a new epoch -- the beginning of world dominion for the United States." (the full text of "The Beginnings of World Dominion" can be read on boondocksnet.com. Nearing wrote more than 50 books and monographs on social issues during his life.
Nearing's books at the Good Life Center, the last homestead of Helen and Scott Nearing on Penobscot Bay in Harborside, Maine.
Nearing's books at Amazon.com (please visit the Good Life Center first)
Published under the provision of U.S. Code, Title 17, section 107.
This Week's Internal Links
The New Kind of Education - by Jan Baughman
The Dictatorship of Bullshit - by Stephen Gowans
Democracy? When? - by Stephen Gowans
Back to Crete - by Andreas Toupadakis
Talk About Demons! - by Gilles d'Aymery
Sweeping the Truth Under the DU Rug - by Dr. Vladimir Ajdacic & Dr. Predrag Jaksic
Lie Has Short Legs - by Pedja Zoric
The Potter of Gold - by Alma A. Hromic
A Trip to the Garden - by Andreas Toupadakis
Ending or Beginning? - by Milo Clark
The Making of a Radical (Excerpt) - by Scott Nearing
Uniform Engendered - by Sandy Lulay
Three Quotes to Ponder - by R. D. Laing & Derrick Jensen


text:
Today I'm re-posting more of the Q&A with my students in this year's ITW Online Thriller School.
1. I wonder if you have a sense of Beginning/Middle/End markers in your books and the relative proportions given to each?
Beginning/middle/end: There are no hard and fast rules for when one of these turns into the next. But if you consider them the first, second, and third acts in a drama, you probably won't go wrong by thinking in terms of the beginning as first quarter of the book, the middle as the next two quarters, and the end as the final quarter. Your mileage will vary according to the needs of the story.
2. Although a 200 page Middle has many scenes, do you think a small number of locations is okay? David Corbett says that tension, not action, keeps readers reading, and through the earlier scenes of my Middle the hero is in one place, 'safe' from immediate danger, gathering information, but with a sense of a 'gathering storm' beyond.
A small number of locations can work perfectly well if the suspense and level of conflict continues to build. That's the whole idea behind the "crucible" of the story — the characters are in some sort of cauldron that limits their ability to escape the conflict. Limiting the setting can accomplish that.
3. And what do you think tension actually is? Is it different to suspense? Lee Child says suspense arises from unanswered questions. Is tension similarly about questions? Is it about danger? About twists and turns? About peaks and troughs, the rollercoaster? And is conflict different to tension, conflict really about the opposing forces in the crucible?
Tension is distinct from suspense. Tension means to draw something tight or put it under strain. For thriller-writing purposes, consider tension equal to excitement. It comes in brief bursts. Danger, confrontation, friction; time running out; deadlines approaching. Suspense can be sustained over an entire novel. Tension is felt in seconds or minutes.
4. You talked about ending chapters with questions. You didn't mention 'cliff-hangers'. I'm thinking that questions and cliff-hangers may be a bit like tension and action. Lots of questions good. Too many cliff-hangers not so good!?
Use cliffhangers whenever, wherever, and however you can. Always end a chapter on some kind of cliffhanger. Just remember, they can be emotional as well as physical.
5. You talked about the antagonist thwarting the protagonist's desire. Do you think sometimes the protagonist's desire is simply to stop the villain, a desire that didn't exist until the villain appeared? You also mentioned the cliché of a hero's family being threatened, but in many thrillers the hero must rescue those close to him. Do you think sometimes cliché vs not cliché is a fine line?
Stopping the antagonist can certainly be the core of the protagonist's desire. That's how almost all police procedurals work. But remember that the protagonist is trying to stop the antagonist from doing something awful. That's what adds resonance and tension, in a lot of cases.
6. I'd wondered about plot and story and concluded that plot was 'contrived' by the author, while story was driven by the characters… and the more you let the characters do what they do rather than try to control them the better. I'd almost decided plot was a negative thing! Your podcast helped me realize that plot and character together make a story. And perhaps plot is in every thriller, but it's the degree of 'plotting' that varies from author to author? I wonder if you draw a distinction between plot and story?
Plot is the series of events the author chooses to portray on the page to tell the story.
What you've clarified is that plot is the series of events or storyline, connected by causality, used to tell the story. And that plot develops from what the characters do, so in effect they create the causality, they do drive the plot, so as you say plot and character are two sides of the same coin. I hope that's a fair understanding? And I think you're saying it's ALL story (what has happened), and plot is what we use to tell it (how it happens, whether or not we devise that plot beforehand or it develops as we write)?
You've got it.
Stories are metaphors for life. In stories, we recognize ourselves — our struggles, our striving, our quests. As a writer, when you create fiction, you're designing how you'll present your story to readers. That's plot.
And you're right: Don't overthink it. Know that there are classic, archetypal ways to tell stories, and figure out if the tale you're writing fits with any of them. But don't tie yourself in knots. Plot is what the characters do, and how you choose to depict their journey on the page. Some writers create a detailed itinerary ahead of time; others have a sense of where they want to go, and strike out, breaking trail. You need to know what works best for you.
And always enjoy the trip.


text:
Where Is The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range?
Plateau mountains, such as the Catskills, are fashioned from the erosion of an uplifted plateau. In addition, some definitions also embody a topographical prominence requirement, sometimes a hundred or 500 feet (30 or 152 m).[self-published supply] At one time the U.S. Board on Geographic Names defined a mountain as being 1,000 toes (300 m) or taller, but has abandoned the definition for the reason that Seventies. Any comparable landform decrease than this height was thought-about a hill. However, today, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) concludes that these phrases do not have technical definitions in the US.
Whether you are in search of journey or a calming stroll, we will set you on your way. Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing entry, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. An out of doors rink is open to ice skaters from late October via mid-March. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park.
Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April by way of late November, climate permitting. Grandfather Mountain has been an icon in North Carolina's panorama for generations, offering beautiful surroundings and unmatched ecological diversity. This state park opens the mountain's 2,456-acre backcountry to spectacular mountaineering and backpacking.
Kick again by the out of doors pool surrounded by the very best peaks in America. Celebrate your destination wedding ceremony or host a corporate retreat in our trendy indoor venues and gorgeous outside settings.
The Red Trail has even been included on the International Mountain Biking Association's(IMBA) listing of EPIC rides. Take the Catskill Thunder Gondola to the summit of Belleayre Mountain for breathtaking views of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Uses astonishing visuals to inform the intersecting tales of George Mallory, the first man to aim a summit of Mount Everest, and Conrad Anker, the mountaineer who finds Mallory's frozen stays seventy five years later. You can fill your day and nights at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA with our applications andactivities. Every season brings fun and excitement for the complete household.
- Mountains are landforms that rise excessive above the natural formations round them.
- These rocks are a result of tectonic forces over a long period.
- Most of the world on the chain has been enclosed in parks and resorts attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists to have interaction in various leisure actions.
- A mountain's height above sea degree known as its elevation, with its highest level called a summit, or peak.
As humans have moved into areas close to mountain gorillas, they have cleared land for agriculture and livestock. Even land within protected areas just isn't secure from clearing—in 2004, for example, illegal settlers cleared 3,seven hundred acres of gorilla forest in Virunga National Park. Enjoy basic tavern cuisine or après ski cocktails with dramatic mountain views by the fireplace on the View Bar & Grill.
The park is understood for a number of the South's most extreme climate and challenging terrain, with trails which have hikers scrambling along cliffs and up ladders. Access to 12 miles of trails and backpack tenting websites is mostly from the Profile Trailhead on NC 105 or trailheads alongside the adjacent Blue Ridge Parkway. However, trails may also be reached from the park of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation (which incorporates the mile-excessive swinging bridge and other sights) and there's a charge for this access. All elevations in the 48 states of the contiguous United States embrace an elevation adjustment from the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). For additional info, please see this United States National Geodetic Survey note.
The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for mountaineering, horseback using and mountain biking. Additionally, the roadways throughout the park are a favorite for bicyclists. Mountain biking and hiking are two of the preferred actions at the park. With more than 50 miles of trails guests have loads of choices to select from be it a short loop or an overnight journey.
Oak Mountain State Park
Recharge in our fitness center, take a ski lesson or ask our concierge to assist plan your winter and summer adventures. With ski in and out access to the slopes, Mountain Lodge Telluride also provides free shuttle service to Telluride Mountain snowboarding and Mountain Village buying and leisure. Escape to a fascinating all-season vacation spot for your Colorado vacation. At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is likely one of the largest municipally managed parks within the nation and consists of three mountain ranges – the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe.


text:
By Kyle Inman
Sports writer
The Peetz Bulldogs football team overcame an early deficit to defeat the Stratton/Liberty Knighted Eagles 38-28 in the 6-man state championship game on Saturday in Joes.
The Knighted Eagles, playing at home with an 11-0 record, gained all the momentum in the first quarter. Peetz saw its first possession end with a punt on fourth down. Stratton/Liberty took the ball and Jaret Lichty's five-yard touchdown run capped off a six play, 42-yard first drive for the Knighted Eagles.
The Peetz offense again was forced to punt on its second drive of the game. The Knighted Eagles were looking to add to the lead after moving the ball inside the 10 yardline. The Bulldogs defense put together a stand as the drive ended with an interception by Helmuth Wenneker in the endzone for a touchback. Peetz got a first down to improve field position, but were forced to punt again on the ensuing drive.
The Knighted Eagles took advantage as Phillip Pickart took a pitch and cut back across the field for a 38-yard touchdown run. The score gave Stratton/Liberty a 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs got a first down on a 16-yard run by Bryson Long, but were eventually forced to punt on their next drive. Pickart returned the punt for 38 yards and the Knighted Eagles offense took over at Peetz' 22-yard line. The Knighted Eagles moved the ball down to the 2-yard line, looking to go up by three scores, before mishandling a pitch. Wenneker fell on the fumble and Peetz took possession. Peetz punted again, but the defense forced Stratton/Liberty into a turnover on downs.
"We had a couple balls bounce our way and those two turnovers were huge," coach Scott Sorensen said. "We didn't do anything with it, but we punted it out of there. We just needed to get out of that first quarter; to only be down two touchdowns was great because that's a good team and they were bringing it."
With time ticking down in the first half and the Bulldogs struggling to move the ball on the ground, Sorensen elected to utilize the passing game. On third down and 18 yards to go, Logan Sircy made a 17-yard catch to move the ball inside the Knighted Eagles' 10-yard line.
Hunter White picked up the needed yardage on a fourth down run to extend to the drive. Quarterback Tre Fehringer then found Sircy with a six-yard touchdown pass. The catch was Sircy's fifth of the half and made the score 14-6 at the break after the extra point attempt was blocked.
"It's that never-quit mentality that you always have to have," Sircy said. "You see all the greatest comebacks and those teams just never quit; you can never give up."
Both teams forced the other into a turnover on downs to start the second half of play. The Knighted Eagles had back-to-back gains of 25 yards to move the ball down the field and extend their lead to 20-6 on a touchdown run by Eltan Yarger. There were three minutes left in the third quarter when the Peetz offense took over. Fehringer connected with Sircy on an 18-yard touchdown pass to cap off a five-play drive and make the score 20-14. The Knighted Eagles' ensuing drive came to an end as Sircy went up and intercepted a pass to give the Bulldogs the ball back.
"We needed that," Sorensen said. "We had a total blitz with all five going with Sircy on an island by himself and it was a good spot to be."
Peetz wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover and punted as the third quarter came to an end. Sircy jumped on the punt to pin Stratton/Liberty at their 1-yard line. The Bulldogs sent an all-out blitz at the Knighted Eagles and stuffed Lichty in the endzone, which made the score 20-16 after a safety. The Bulldogs came away with a 42-yard gain on third down as Zachary Holtz made a reception and ran up the field after the catch. Peetz took their first lead of the game, as Hunter White hit a defender with a spin move and scored on a five-yard touchdown run.
The Knighted Eagles immediately took the lead back, 28-24, as Pickart broke a 58-yard touchdown run. Facing a fourth down on the next drive, Peetz acted as if they would attempt a fieldgoal to tie the game. The Bulldogs faked the 31-yard fieldgoal attempt and Fehringer connected with Sircy for a touchdown pass. The third touchdown pass of the game from Fehringer to Sircy gave the Bulldogs a 32-28 lead with under three minutes to play.
Stratton/Liberty turned the ball over on downs and the Bulldogs added to their lead. Long took a handoff and hit a defender with a stiff arm before running 21 yards for a touchdown. The score gave Peetz an 11-point lead with under two minutes to play.
"I knew then that we had it in the bag, so it was a really great feeling," Long said. "The way we played our game makes me feel proud to be a Peetz Bulldog. I knew we had enough time to play our game and that we had a great group of guys who never get down on themselves when they are losing."
The victory was officially sealed after Wenneker recovered a fumble. The Knighted Eagles' dropped a pitch and went to recover it, but Wenneker threw the player out of the way and dove on it. It was the third fumble recovery of the game for Wenneker, who also made an interception. The senior was forced to sit out half the season due to transfer rules, but became a key contributor upon returning to action.
"When I was sitting out, all I could think about was getting out there to play," Wenneker said. "I was fortunate to still have practice, but nothing amounts to this – this is it. It's unreal and obviously, I'm glowing. It's not all me, it's my team and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the five seniors and everybody that was supporting us all season."
The Bulldogs were led by Fehringer's three touchdown passes. The quarterback threw for 161 yards and no interceptions. All three touchdown passes were caught by Sircy, who made eight catches for 105 yards. Long led the rushing attack with 72 yards on 13 carries. The Bulldogs outscored the Knighted Eagles 24-8 in the fourth quarter. The win marked the first state championship for Peetz High School since the 2002 season. The Bulldogs went 10-1 this season with their only loss coming by three points to Prairie back on Oct. 6.
"I think the loss really helped us to bounce back and know that we aren't invincible," Sorensen said. "We blew a two-touchdown lead and we learned from that. They fought hard and got a win against a good team. We hadn't been down by two scores this season, but the kids didn't panic. They were controlled and realized they had a job to do and anything could happen."
Join the Conversation
We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.


text:
Fight Like a Girl
As much as I loved the idea of "Fight like a Girl" I was a little worried that it would be full of pink girly stuff. I shouldn't have worried because this month's box was AWESOME! (and there was no pink!)
We got two books this month!!! Catching Stars by Cayla Keenan and Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young.
The cover of Sky in the Deep is an OwlCrate exclusive! And it is signed! (and of course I forgot to take a picture of the signature!)
I like the OwlCrate version better because I like Silver better than Gold!
This month there were 3 pins:
The book pin is hard to read in the picture but it says "When in doubt go to the library" and it is my favorite item in the box!!
Next was a double sided bookmark:
I love the quotes but they are kind of hard to read on the busy background.
There was a bath bomb:
And a really cool wall hanging:
Finally there was an art print, the spoiler card, and a booklet with extra information:
Here is the other side of the spoiler card with all the information about all the items:
Do you subscribe to any subscription boxes? Which ones? What was your favorite item this month? Let me know in the comments!!


text:
The 3rd year environmental studies students traditionally take an extended field trip touring the western part of Kenya including the northern Rift Valley, Lake Victoria, Kakamega Forest, and Lake Bogorio. I was invited to tag along on this year's trip. We started our journey at lunchtime on Monday, after the students had completed their last final exam for the term. The 105 students and 3 faculty members (Mr. Chege, Mr. Abwao, and me) boarded three university buses and set out for our first stop, Lake Nakuru National Park.
It is the rainy season and an afternoon downpour slowed our travel a bit. We arrived at Lake Nakuru in time for a brief bus tour of the park. One of the buses got a punctured tire on the highway, so we all fit into two buses while the other was repaired. The late afternoon showers brought many hippos out of the water to graze on the shore. We also saw gazelle, impala, zebra, Cape buffalo, and a lone jackal. Unfortunately we did not see any of the park's resident rhinos or lions. We did have a close encounter with a baboon. While most of the students had alighted the bus to enjoy a scenic overlook, a brazen baboon boarded the bus in search of snacks. There were two students in the back of the bus who called for help from the window. A brave student jumped in the bus and chased the baboon away before it caused any damage. We spent the night in Nakuru town.
In the morning our bus driver informed us that another bus had a broken wiper mechanism. Being the rainy season, we could not risk traveling with a broken wiper. A local mechanic was able to repair it, but it delayed our departure for Kisumu and Lake Victoria by a few hours. We traveled west out of the Rift Valley, climbing out along the Mau Escarpment and on to the cool, wet tea-growing region of Kericho. From there we descended to the city of Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria. We stopped in Kisumu town for lunch of fried, whole tilapia, straight from Lake Victoria. Mr. Chege and Mr. Abwao showed me the proper way to eat it – with your fingers, just pinching off pieces of the flaky white meat. It was delicious. Fed and rested, we traveled to Dunga Beach and its environmental education center. It's also an active fish landing site. We learned about some of the major challenges facing Lake Victoria: the Nile perch and water hyacinth. The Nile perch was introduced to Lake Victoria in the 1950s as a commercial fish. Unfortunately the successful Nile perch fishery is decimating the lake's native fish populations. The water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant that forms large floating mats. As the wind blows them around, they can block access to docks or fishing areas. The large expanse also shades out native aquatic plants, which in turn affects the fishery. We took a short boat ride to get a first-hand look at the water hyacinths and then we were off to dinner (what else – fish!) and our lodgings in the town of Kondele.
The main activity for Wednesday was visiting the Dominion rice farm. Dominion (an American company) is in the process of developing its 17,000 acres of leased land in the Yala Swamp – a 50,000 acre wetland that drains into the Yala River and Lake Victoria. It is a huge commercial enterprise that integrates rice farming with tilapia aquaculture and when operating at full capacity will produce enough rice for much of Western Kenya. The project, however, has not been free from controversy. Some local residents and NGOs have expressed concerns about the environmental and social impacts about a wetland reclamation project of this scale. Dominion for its part has cooperated with the permitting agencies and is investing in community development projects such as local employment, schools, and health centers. A recent master's thesis suggested that public participation in the project has improved over time, though perhaps may still be insufficient. All of the facility managers are now Kenyans, though most are not from the local area. The students were particularly aghast when they learned of how the grain-eating quelea bird is controlled – targeted spraying of roosting colonies with a species-specific toxin. The bird is known as "the feathered locust" and moves in flocks of millions. This bird and its control (which is the standard approach) were new to me and most of the students. The tour was very informative and gave the students a picture of how one company is trying to balance large scale agriculture and economic development with social responsibility.
Our bus did get stuck in the mud of a rural road exiting the Dominion farm. We all had to get out and push the bus out of the mud. Note to Dominion: for your next community development project, you might consider road improvement.
The Dominion farm is located in Siaya County which is the hometown of President Obama's father. His grandmother "Mama Obama" still lives in the village of Kogelo. Unfortunately we did not have time to pay Mama Obama a visit.
We drove on to the town of Kakamega which is famous for two things: its remnant equatorial rainforest and delicious chicken dinners. We arrived late on Wednesday evening so the forest tour had to wait until Thursday morning. Kakamega's famous dish, however, did not disappoint. The Kakamega Forest Reserve is managed by the Kenya Forest Service. Representatives from the Forest Service and community resource managers gave us a brief lesson about the forest ecosystem and how the communities at the forest edge are partners in its management. The forest is an "island" separated from the expansive equatorial rainforest of central Africa. It does not have chimpanzees or gorillas, but does have many species endemic to equatorial rainforests elsewhere. The forest is home to hundreds of species of butterflies and birds, a few of which we saw on a brief forest hike. We split into small groups but I think our large numbers scared away most of the birds. We did see many butterflies and several black and white colobus monkeys. Our guide told us about the many edible and medicinal plants in the forest. We even tasted a bite of a low-growing fruit. It was similar in taste and texture to a passion fruit and is reported to relieve impotence and STDs. It tasted pretty good, mostly small crunchy seeds, and none of us had any ill effects. I can't attest to its medicinal qualities though.
Our stay at Kakamega Forest was too short, but we needed to move on. We had hoped to make a stop at Lake Bogoria, a Rift Valley lake with hot springs and geysers, but the drive took too long. We traveled through Eldoret and Iten, the self-described home of Kenya's running champions. We passed the Kip Keino school and the High Altitude Training Center run by Lornah Kiplagat. The center is located at 8000 feet above sea level overlooking the Rift Valley – a setting both inspiring and physically challenging. We wound down the switchback road along the western edge of the Rift Valley dodging cows, goats, and one vervet monkey that ambled along the road edge. One of the buses had a mechanical problem and a mechanic came out to fix it roadside. During the brief stop, the students alighted from the bus and entertained us with some great songs. We finally arrived back on campus at about 1:00 AM.
It was an amazing field trip to Western Kenya. Most of the students have never been to these places so this field trip (and the 4th year trip to the coast) is an important part of the Environmental Studies and Community Development curriculum. For me, it was a great opportunity to get to know the students better in an informal setting. It was a trip I will never forget.
Many thanks to the students whose enthusiasm was infectious, to my colleagues Mr. Chege, Mr. Abwao, and Mr. Kurauka for organizing the trip, and to the drivers who safely navigated the narrow Kenyan roads.
Click on any of the photos below to see the full-size image. If anyone wants a high-resolution copies, just ask and I'll send them.


text:
For the Good of SocietyCategory
Your Lana Del Rey Problem
Lana Del Rey's new album Ultraviolence is excellent. With songs like "Fucked My Way Up to the Top" and "Money Power Glory," she lays d..
Let's Retire the Word Evil
Not a lot of words are more damaging and less useful than the word "evil." It doesn't hold up to modern methods of explaining human behavi..
Katie Drunk Blogs Cosmos
In which Katie drinks every time she feels confused by how unconfused she is by her sexual feelings toward Neil Degrasse Tyson, and occasi..
Lift and Reporter: 2 Apps That Track My Life and Make Me a Better Person
When I was younger, I used to journal a lot. I had this idea that someday I would want to go through all my journals and learn th..
Why Can't We Cast Actors That Play Their Own Nationality, Race or Sexual Orientation More Often?
The Oscars are tomorrow, so this seems like as good a time as any to talk about this. Why is it that in the year 2014, we can't m..
Obama and art history: Should the humanities be mandatory?
Humanities faculty and students around the world have been hot under the collar in the wake of Obama's recent comments suggesting that you..
Cars and Bikers: How "Safe" is Safe Enough?
When a bicyclist was tragically killed by a drunk driver last week in Minneapolis, much of the media attention focused on how the vict..
Top Five Signs That Macklemore Is Being Held Hostage by the Illuminati
The annual Grammy Award Ceremony is an exciting event in which industry movers and shakers get together to enjoy performances by the year'..
We Want to Publish More Diverse Perspectives
There's a big feeling of whiteness coming from everything in Minnesota. It's a challenge that every publication somewhat passively experie..
Top 10 Boo Moments of the Year
10. When Boo had a birthday.
9. When Boo showed off his ..
Pros and Cons of Choosing Different Musical Acts to Settle on Mars
I just learned about the Mars One project that aims to send pods of four people at a time to settle on Mars, starting in 2024. If that..
Do Young People Speak Insecurely? Maybe That's Ok.
As a rule, I try to stand up for young people, and I try to stand up for the changing nature of language. Nobody has a bird's-eye view..