Rahmona Persaud

A Guyanese environmental activist who pioneered rainforest conservation in South America through community-led initiatives.

Rahmona Persaud (1962–2018) was a Guyanese environmental scientist and activist renowned for her efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest and empower Indigenous communities. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, she earned a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of London and returned to Guyana in 1990 to establish the Amazon Conservation Network. Her work centered on combating illegal logging, mining, and deforestation while advocating for Indigenous land rights.

In collaboration with the Wapishana and Macushi tribes, Persaud developed the Rainforest Guardian Program in 1995, which trained Indigenous leaders to monitor forest health and enforce anti-deforestation laws. This initiative led to the creation of Guyana’s first Indigenous Protected Areas, safeguarding over 10 million acres of rainforest. Persaud also pioneered carbon offset projects, partnering with the WWF to monetize forest conservation through international carbon credits.

Her 2001 book The Rainforest Guardians detailed her strategies for sustainable development in rainforest regions. Despite facing threats from logging syndicates, Persaud’s advocacy influenced Guyana’s 2009 Forest Conservation Act, which banned large-scale deforestation. Her legacy lives on through the Rahmona Persaud Foundation, which continues her work in Amazonian communities.