Under the Freshwater Conservation & Management Component in Suriname, a pilot project on water management is funded. The Comprehensive Water Management in the MCP aims at collecting data on the water levels, water quantity and quality through advance equipment that transfer data through mobile phones. The information obtained is meant to promote an efficient use of irrigation water in the rice sector.
As such, experiments regarding low cost maintenance of canals are very crucial. Students interested in maintenance of canals, hydrology and developing databases are invited to reply for participation. The project ends mid 2009.
Main objective of this project
Develop a holistic approach for a sustainable integrated water management in the MCP area.
The project will be divided into two phases, phase one entails a study on technical and financial feasibility on application of remote sense devices to foster the present water management level, and elaborate on alternative approaches for maintenance of the canal.
Specific objectives for phase 1:
- To enhance and promote effective use of the freshwater resources of the MCP area
- Develop a project proposal for phase two, emphasizing on biological diversity in the adjacent swamps and interaction with MCP
- To set up an infrastructure for field data collection, including data transfer and exchange
- Develop protocol for environment friendly maintenance of MCP canal
The Foundation for Development of Longmay and Surrounding (SOLOM) in District Nickerie is a CBO that annually celebrates World Wetlands Day on 2 February. Together with partners, like the Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname, awareness activities for mainly the youth are planned. WWF funds these activities. The theme for this year, Upstream, Downstream, Wetlands Connect us all, set by RAMSAR will be incorporated in several educational games.
SOLOM will also open its information centre at Longmay, where tourists, school children and other interested ones can obtain information on Bigi Pan Multiple Use Management Area (MUMA), an estuarine zone nearby. Local guides will get the opportunity to promote their tours as well. Souvenirs, books, and posters will be displayed. The information centre should become the focal point of the ‘Youth wetlands club’.
Recently elementary bird watching training was provided to the guides that are involved in the tourism sector. The two day during course was meant to illustrate the link between birds’ occurrence and ecosystems.
It is hoped that the only female guide sets an example for the rest of the stakeholders that would like to become dependent operators.
Solom strives to open the tourist camp in Bigi Pan, providing lodging facilities to day visitors and overnight guests. The foundation should become self supporting, and thus needs training in cost benefit analysis. Launching their website is as well planned later this year.
Above mentioned activities are integrated in the overall project funded by WWF Guianas on Professionalizing tourism in Bigi Pan and promoting sustainable use.
Tigrikati Bergendal Nature Education Centre
Private partnership with Kersten Tourism Foundation (KTF) became a fact after WWF Guianas reached out for a collaborative project. The Bergendal Eco and Cultural River resort has an adventure centre, where our education centre (Tigrikati Nature Education Centre) is located.
WWF Guianas aims at educating visitors in sustainable tourism, therefore promoting the code of conduct at the site. A short film on the WWF Guianas Sustainable Natural Resources Program is as well part of the tour through our building. A small scale gold mining display illustrates the impact on freshwater systems. Posters, books and films will guide the guests in WWF’s projects in the surrounding areas. The official opening is planned for March 2009.
Peperpot Birdwatching trail
(Mohan- birding trail)
(Black crested ant shrike)
Suriname which is known for its old plantation economy has a few remaining coffee and cacao plantations in the district of Commewijne. Plantation Peperpot is older than one hundred year, with some old and abandoned houses and structures, such as coffee factories, and old sluices. WWF Guianas values this plantation ecosystem with its historic cultivated trees, diversity of birds, and other small mammals. In collaboration with the Surinaamse Cultuur Maatschappij NV the infrastructure for a birdwatching trail is being developed. As such a Memorandum of Understanding is in the pipeline.
The bird watching trail will have simple signs, benches, bridges and towers to accommodate visitors, as part of phase I of this collaboration. Beside the primary bird watching trails, a block of 26 ha is set aside to develop secondary trails.
The old plantations have a tremendous potential for eco-tourism. The rich diversity of birds and the historic plantation settings are the main attractions.
The Plantage has a historic short cut of 3,2 kilometers from the East West Highway to the river (where the plantation houses are). In the old days, this shortcut served as plantation road, nursery, harvesting of fruits and maintenance of the trees. Nowadays, this trail has become very popular for international bird watchers. It is located so close to Paramaribo and all bird endemics of Suriname can be seen there such as arrowhead picolet and blood colored woodpecker.
Google Earth- Emplacement of Plantation Peperpot
