Tourism Development in Tourism Development in Christian and Langaman Christian and Langaman

Kondre in Suriname.Kondre in Suriname.

Criteria for evaluating success.Criteria for evaluating success.

Community StructureCommunity Structure

• Type: Indigenous Peoples; Carib Amerindian

• Population:1,200 persons• Employment: ~30%• Per Capita Income (estimated

USD 50 - 200)• Income generation (by type): fishing,

tourism, other

CultureCulture

• Fishing • Traditional dance• Production of cassava

bread and “cassiri”, cassava rum

Marine TurtlesMarine Turtles

• 4 species known to nest in Galibi NR• Warana, olive ridley or LO once nested in

high abundance• Leatherback, DC and green turtles, CM

nest also in high densities• The hawksbill, EI nest in low

densities

Tradition: Marine TurtlesTradition: Marine Turtles

Villages are located near turtle nesting beaches

• Beach visits to “turtle watch”• Egg collection for local consumption

Turtle egg consumption…. a significant component of traditional diet

Turtle ConservationTurtle Conservation

• 1960’s Galibi NR created to protect nesting sites of turtles

• Nesting females protected

• Fishing of turtles banned

• Disturbance of nesting habitats not permitted

• Access to turtle resource restricted

• Permission required to harvest eggs

Turtle ConservationTurtle Conservation

• 2002: marine turtles fully protected. No longer possible to harvest eggs.

• Negative reaction from villagers as access to marine turtles now completely restricted.

Marine Turtle Conservation:Marine Turtle Conservation:Target AudienceTarget Audience

• Egg poachers

• Egg consumers

• Middle men and merchants

Egg poachersEgg poachers

• Mainly from ChristianKondre and LangamanKondre

• Males (15 – 55 yrs)• Most (80%) unemployed residents• Others are part-time and full-time

fishermen

Egg ConsumersEgg Consumers

• Reported to be most (90%) village residents

• Large proportion of Indonesian, East Indian, Creole coastal population

• Males and females (18 – 80 yrs)

• All occupations

Middlemen Middlemen and Merchantsand Merchants

• Residents from Galibi villages, the surrounding communities closer to Albina, Paramaribo

• Employed persons

• Males, with access to vehicles

Drivers of Egg PoachingDrivers of Egg Poaching

1. Tradition: egg consumption is part of Surinamese (Indonesian and Amerindian) culture (consumers)

2. Enjoyment: turtle eggs are reported to be very tasty and fun to eat (consumers)

3. Affordable and nutritional (consumers)

4. Good income generator (collectors and vendors)

WWF Interest in TourismWWF Interest in Tourism

• Reduce egg collection

• Alternative to coastal seine fishing

Marine Turtle Conservation support…..

Ecotourism Ecotourism

• Alternative or compensation for loss of access to the resource

• Contribute to the livelihoods of the peoples of Galibi

EcotourismEcotourism

• Assumption: non-consumptive exploitation of marine turtles ………may generate as much or more social and economic benefits to the local communities ……… than consumption of the marine turtle eggs and meat.

Ecotourism in GalibiEcotourism in Galibi

Ecotourism in GalibiEcotourism in Galibi

• Tourists transported from Paramaribo to town of Albina and then to the villages by large canoe: 60 – 90 mins.

• Visitors stay at small lodges within the village• Stays are for 1 – 2 days on average• All meals provided by the lodge• Visitors are transported at night to the nesting

beaches by boat• Beach visits conducted by trained tour guides

Who is involved?Who is involved?

• Boat owners 100% local

• Stidunal (NGO responsible for tourism development in Galibi) 100% local

• Boat operators 100% local

• Guest house owners 100% local

• Cooks 80% local

• Tour guides (50% local, 50% Paramaribo)

Ecotourism in Galibi.Ecotourism in Galibi.Who are the beneficiaries?Who are the beneficiaries?

• Tour operators• Boat owners• Boat operators• Guest house owners• Housekeepers• Cooks• Tour guides

Does ecotourism in Galibi Does ecotourism in Galibi impact on the livelihoods of impact on the livelihoods of marine turtle egg collectors marine turtle egg collectors

and consumers?and consumers?

Is ecotourism achieving its Is ecotourism achieving its desired objective?desired objective?

Is there a contribution to turtle Is there a contribution to turtle conservation?conservation?

And if notAnd if not

Consider…….Consider…….

How can the tourism package be adjusted to ensure equity in

returns to community residents?

How may we expand benefits How may we expand benefits to embrace target groups to embrace target groups

relevant to turtle relevant to turtle conservation?conservation?

• Training packages in tourism for unemployed persons in the community.

• Reserve 50% of tour guide jobs for trained ex-poachers.

• Increase access to tourism transport to all boat owners including egg poachers.

• Use nature fee to support alternative income generating projects identified to directly help persons involved in poaching.

Recommendations

Criteria for SuccessCriteria for Success

• 1. Activities are legal and socially acceptable.

2. Activities are biodiversity friendly or contribute to biodiversity conservation.

3. Benefits are clearly visible, measurable and long term.

4. Benefits extend to relevant target groups.

5. Benefits are socially, economically and or culturally comparable to any that they are intended to substitute.

6. Benefits do not disadvantage any social, or economic group in the community.

Let us ensure that eco-tourism is truly a tool Let us ensure that eco-tourism is truly a tool for turtle conservation.for turtle conservation.

Not only must activities be environmentally Not only must activities be environmentally sustainable, benefits must also be clearly sustainable, benefits must also be clearly

relevant to all stakeholders.relevant to all stakeholders.

Thank YouThank You