South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) & South Central People's Development Organisation (SCPDA)

South Central People's Development Organisation (SCPDA)

South Central People's Development Organisation (SCPDA) is a developmental organization with a mandate to reduce poverty and to empower and uplift the lives of the people of South and South Central Rupununi, Guyana. It is dedicated to securing and sustainably managing Wapichan traditional lands in Guyana and improving the livelihoods of the people in 21 Wapichan communities in South Rupununi through support for income generating activities. These include natural resource management and food security. Since 2018, SCPDA has been the official Secretariat of the SRDC.

South Rupununi District Council (SRDC)

The Wapichan people and their ancestors have occupied and used the whole area that they call Wapichan wiizi in the Southern part of Guyana for generations. The Wapichan territory in Guyana is located in the southwest of the country and its western boundary lies along the Takatu River, on the Guyana-Brazil border.

In April 2017 the Wapichan's collective representative body, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) was legally recognised in Guyana. The SRDC works to implement the vision set out in the Territorial Plan adopted by all Wapichan villages in 2012. They have developed a monitoring system to watch over Wapichan land and resources, with monitors trained to document illegal mining activity and indicators of water quality. The SRDC also has initiatives to ensure ongoing transmission of traditional knowledge to young people; promote bilingual education in schools; and document their cultural heritage. 

The SRDC is appealing to the government to settle land claims and title extension applications to ensure that their people's rights over Wapichan wiizi are fully respected. The Wapichan want recognition of their rights and support in moving forward with their territorial plan.