BIGI PAN MUMA (MULTIPLE-USE MANAGEMENT AREA)

Transcription

1 BIGI PAN MUMA (MULTIPLE-USE MANAGEMENT AREA) EXCHANGE OF NATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE SPHERE OF DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY -BASED TOURISM IN PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS (ANPS) AMONG THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF ACTO 3/14/2014 SIMS 1

2 Description of Bigi Pan MUMA Bigi Pan is situated in Northwest Suriname between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nickerie River. Bigi Pan is owned by the Federal Government and overseen by the Chief of the State Forest Department and the Nature Conservation Division (NCD/LBB). It is a Multiple-Use Management Area (MUMA), serving other functions in addition to wildlife protection, such as fishing and recreation. Bigi Pan provides a nursery for ocean fish, filters water and protects the mainland from rising sea water levels and storms. High biodiversity at Bigi Pan makes it especially rewarding for recreation and tourism. 3/14/2014 SIMS 2

3 Map of Bigi Pan MUMA BIGI PAN SOURCE: RONDREIS SURINAME 3/14/2014 SIMS 3

4 1. The Territorial Management, which runs the experience of development of community-based tourism in Bigi Pan MUMA. Bigi Pan, established in 1987, covers an area of 67,900 ha of territorial land and an equal size in marine area. It is located in the Districts of Nickerie and Coronie. Bigi Pan is designated as a conservation category of the Multiple Use Management Areas. All natural resources are the property of the Government and people of Suriname, this according to the Constitution of Suriname. The responsibility for environmental policies, including biodiversity, is entrusted to the Ministry of Labor, Technology Development and Environment (ATM). The management of the forested areas falls under the Ministry of Physical Planning, Land and Forestry Management (RGB). The authorities for Nature Reserves such as Galibi are firm in terms of conservation and limitations of human activities, whereas in MUMAs such as Bigi Pan, some livelihood and/or economic activities may be allowed. 3/14/2014 SIMS 4

5 Community Culture Bigi Pan MUMA Fishing (Deep sea, Coastal, and Brackish water fishery) Bird watching Agriculture Mineral resources Energy resources Research & Monitoring 3/14/2014 SIMS 5

6 2. How do you manage the Protected Natural Areas in Bigi Pan MUMA? The Laws of Suriname includes the Nature Conservation Act (1954) that is the main legislative foundation for protected area policy formulation. Moreover the Nature Conservation Act pertaining to the Protection of Fisheries Stock, Game Law and Agriculture form harmonizing sustenance for MUMA. 3/14/2014 SIMS 6

7 3. With what resources? Personal, financial, and other resources? MUMAs are designated to maintain biological productivity, ensuring the health of globally significant wildlife, and protecting resources for sustainable livelihoods. Although MUMA s are intended to be multiple-use areas, the conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of ecosystem services is the ultimate management objective. MUMAs may be commercially utilized within sustainable limits, with permits required for both research and resource extraction. Some of the revenues generated from the Nature Reserves, Nature Parks and MUMAs are in general invested in improving the same entities. International organization such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have provided grants for projects, including three projects in biodiversity. The Suriname Coastal Protected Area Management promotes the conservation of biodiversity through improved management of protected areas along the western coast of Suriname. The Suriname Conservation Foundation is an endowment fund, primarily created to sustain the conservation of biodiversity. The focus was recently widened to sustainable use of resources. Several private initiatives are there to support this work. 3/14/2014 SIMS 7

8 4. What are the levels of sustainability of the experience in Bigi Pan MUMA? Travelers to Suriname not only learn about the destination, they also learn how to help sustain its character while deepening their own travel experiences. Sustainable Tourism is a form of tourism that calls travelers to a higher standard in all belongings. The principles of sustainability can also be applied to all sectors of the tourism industry in Suriname, particularly in Bigi Pan. The Ecological Zones of Suriname are its Natural resources, biodiversity and human resources. Suriname is home to many species of flora and vertebrate. There are over 5,800 species of flora of which 200 endemic species and 790 fish, 668 birds, 185 mammals, 152 reptiles and 95 amphibians. 3/14/2014 SIMS 8

9 5. What degree of support and participation of the community of the management of the tourism activities? Identification of the community in Bigi Pan MUMA. In Bigi Pan the local communities have Javanese and Hindustani who sometimes work there. Fishing and hunting in the Bigi Pan requires a permit; hunting complies with the game/hunting calendar. Locals are increasingly engaged in monitoring of the environment, biodiversity extraction etc. A formal decentralized management of Bigi Pan MUMA have yet been realized. Local fishermen enjoy the Lareco and Wayambo areas for swamp fishing. Local tour operators have developed exciting airboat rides in the tall grass swamps and lagoons north of the Wayambo Road, and east of the Tambaredjo oil field, an area that has been advertised as the Suriname Everglades. 3/14/2014 SIMS 9

10 Ecotourism in Bigi Pan MUMA. Who are the beneficiaries? Tour operators Boat owners Boat operators Guest house owners Housekeepers Cooks Tour guides Hotels in Nickerie (combined trips of one night Residence inn/next day Bigi Pan MUMA) Local entrepreneurs (market Nickerie) Coronie fruit /honey stalls 3/14/2014 SIMS 10

11 6. Who are the internal and external key stakeholders in the development of the tourism activity in Bigi Pan MUMA? The Suriname Tourism Foundation (STF) was established in 1996 by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce and currently has 31 employees. The foundation is a semi-government organization and overseen by TCT. The public and private sector partnership (PPP) approach to the development of tourism in Suriname has been successful. The tourism industry in Suriname has made a significant contribution to the national economy. STF strives to be the leading tourism authority in Suriname, on the development and promotion of the tourism sector. Suriname was included by 2010 issue of Lonely Planet s Top Ten Best Travel Destinations. The Tourism Union of the Republic of Suriname (TOURS) was established in 2001 and is the representative organization for the hospitality and tourism industry in Suriname. Members include hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars tour operators and other tourism related companies. Suriname is a member of the Combined Amazon Tourism Product (CATP), cooperation between Suriname, French Guyana, and the Brazilian states Para, Amapa and Amazonas. The Amazon Caribbean Tourism Trail (ACTT) in cooperation between Suriname, Guyana and the Brazilian State of Roraima. Suriname is also a member of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). 3/14/2014 SIMS 11

12 7. How the benefits of all business transactions that are raised from the tourism activity are shared? How? Movement of Ecotourism in Suriname (METS) currently is putting together a report on tourism and its impact on the GDP of Suriname. This, will push the government to support the industry more. The Integrated Tourism Development Program (ITDP) has shown that the tourism industry has the potential to further grow as can be seen from the 60% growth from 2003 to However, Suriname has no tourism master plan. The Development Plan ( ) includes a chapter on tourism development. The focus will be on developing special interest tourism especially nature-based tourism as is offered by Bigi Pan and Galibi. In addition to the development of a Tourism Law focus can also be on opening a tourism training center and developing tourism zones. Taking this development into consideration it is important to try to link up the tour operators of Bigi Pan to the existing network of guides for gaining skills. Currently there are about 7,500 formal and informal jobs created in the sector. Through STF, the Public and the private sector are working closely together. 3/14/2014 SIMS 12

13 8. The traditions, local and ancestral customs and practices of the community are respected? How? Suriname has a very diverse ethnic heritage, consisting of native indigenous people, Maroons, mixed Afro Surinamese, descendants of immigrants from India, China, Indonesia, Europe and all possible mixes of these groups, and an increasing number of immigrants from China and Brazil. Suriname is emerging as a prime ecotourism and sport-fishing destination. Suriname is a multiethnic, multicultural, multilingual, and multi-religious country. The local community of Bigi Pan is interested in the co-management of protected areas. Environmental protection of the protected area management must be an integrated approach that includes environment, development, and recognition of and respect for the rights of the indigenous peoples, including their ownership rights over our traditional lands, territories, and resources, and their knowledge systems. It can be stated that the indigenous peoples, are willing to cooperate on basis of mutual respect and equality. The Government of Suriname through the semi-governmental agency strengthens the capacity of the tourism sector to apply and expand the sustainable development of tourism infrastructure and services that support sustainable land use and nature conservation. Further to develop and implement guidelines and codes of conduct for ecotourism operators and in promoting ecologically sustainable tourism in the region, including developing regional codes of conduct for tour operators, and convening appropriate training courses. 3/14/2014 SIMS 13

14 9. Development of an inventory of tourism products. Tourist products are the means to satisfy primary and secondary needs. While, secondary or derived tourist needs are those arising from the decision to make a tourist trip. Primary tourist supply, include natural attractions and historic sites, such as Bigi Pan MUMA. Nature attractions such as Bigi Pan MUMA and Galibi offer activities, amenities and both are easily accessible. The Nickerie/Bigi Pan Tour starts in Paramaribo where you depart for a 3-hour trip by bus to Nickerie. On the way tourists may enjoy interesting sights such as the bridge over the Coppename River and the State Oil Company, Staatsolie. Tourists may stay various hotels in Nickerie. Then, a trip by boat to the Bigi Pan MUMA well known for its abundance of birds and fish. 3/14/2014 SIMS 14

15 10. The identified experience has allowed the creation of a community vision of the future of tourism in the community? Suriname s virgin rainforest of exotic fauna and flora, its multi-ethnic capital, Paramaribo, a UNESCO World Heritage site of grand colonial architecture, and blessed with peace and little crime, all are attracting tourists to Suriname. With continuous political and economic stability and a more serious approach to tourism that addresses the concerns of the private sector by the government, Suriname can very much become a tourist destination for many people around the globe. Co-management should be part of the national development principle. New legislation on land use and co-management are needed to expand the categories of protected areas and buffer zones in Suriname. Thereby, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources and the conservation of the biological diversity are managed in a sustainable way, with equitable sharing of costs and benefits. 3/14/2014 SIMS 15

16 Bigi Pan Nature Reserve 3/14/2014 SIMS 16

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