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NATURAL HERITAGE IN SURINAME
by
Ferdinand L.J. Baal,
Head
Nature Conservation Division of the Forest Service of Suriname
Paramaribo, 19 February 2000 (Updated 4 March 2005)
1
Introduction
Some 90% of the land surface
(of about 164.600 km2) is still covered with forest. Protected
areas (11 nature reserves, 1 nature park
and 4 Multiple‑use Management Areas)
cover about 13% of the land surface (without sea areas), which percentage
will increase to 13.8% after establishment of 2 proposed nature reserves and
2 proposed forest reserves.
(Note: These percentages do
not include the planned areas of Protection Forests and Specially Protected
Forests, which may cover some 10 %.)
One of the existing
protected areas is the large Central Suriname Nature Reserve, which covers
1.6 million ha (10% of land surface of Suriname) and encloses the
pre-existing Raleighvallen, Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haan nature reserves.
Suriname has a high
biological diversity with e.g. 185 mammal species, 668 bird species, 152
reptile species, 95 amphibian species, 338 fresh water fish species, 452
marine fish species, 1,750 invertebrata and 5,075 Spermatophyta (plant)
species
(M. Werkhoven and F. Baal,
1995).
In 1948, the Nature
Protection Commission ('Natuurbeschemingscommissie") was established by
Government Resolution as an advisory commission in order to study
conservation problems, and to propose legislation concerning nature
conservation. The resulting Game Law (Government Bulletin 1954 No. 25) and
Nature Preservation Law (Government Bulletin 1954 No. 26) were published in
1954, and are enforced by the Forest Service (Nature Conservation Division),
which is assisted by the Foundation for Nature Preservation in Suriname
(STINASU).
(Note that on 15 April 2003
a Letter of Intent was signed by the Chair & the Director of STINASU and the
Acting Head of the Suriname Forest Service & the Head Nature Conservation
Division. On base of this Letter of Intent NCD is responsible for law
enforcement, education/awareness and international wildlife trade, while
STINASU is implementing nature tourism and nature research. This Letter of
Intent will be valid until 31 October 2005 or earlier when NCD will be
merged with the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control
(SBB) and will form the Forest and Nature Management Authority of Suriname
(BOSNAS). BOSNAS will become the responsible organization for forestry and
nature conservation in Suriname.
2. Ecosystems
(M. Werkhoven and F. Baal, 1995).
Geomorphologically, Suriname
is divided into a mountainous region and a coastal region. The mountainous
region, more than 80% of the country, consists almost entirely of
Precambrian rock formation which is part of the Guayana Shield. The only,
and easternmost Roraima sandstone formation in Suriname is the tabletop
mountain (tepui) "Tafelberg" in the central part of the country. The natural
vegetation in the interior consists mainly of undisturbed tropical
rainforest (mesophytic forest), and on the slopes of the mountains of
so‑called cloud forest. Savannas and xerophytic forests, relict vegetations
from the Pleistocene, can also be found in the interior.
Along the northern edge of
the Guayana Shield, across the full width of the country, run the Zanderij
formation, Old Coastal Plain, and Young Coastal Plain, being about 180 km
wide in the west, and a mere 20 km in the east.
The most southern part is
the Zanderij formation or Savanna Belt which lies on quartz‑rich sand
sediments. The climax vegetation of the well‑drained Zanderij formation is
formed by mesophytic forest. On the bleached soils there is also high or low
xerophytic (savanna)forest. Savannas (with a total land surface of ca. 7%)
are found on unbleached soils, on well‑drained white sands, and on wet white
sands. In the Savanna Belt, in the valleys formed by creeks, marsh forest or
swamp forest occurs.
Farther north lies the
landscape of the Old Coastal Plain. This area consists for the greater part
of marine sediments that were deposited during interglacial periods. Here
lies the old offshore‑bar landscape with elevated clay flats. On the old
ridges one may encounter mesophytic forest, xerophytic forest, or savannas.
On the terraces of the clay flats, one may find mesophytic forest or
savannas, on wet clay. In the gullies swamp forests occur.
The Young Coastal Plain
consists of marine sediments from the Holocene. This Young Coastal Plain
reaches to the coastline and is at its widest in western Suriname near the
Corantijn River, some 75 km from the coast. The landscape is characterized
by sand and shell ridges, and with swamps on heavy clay. Along the coast
there are estuarine riverbanks, often overgrown with mangrove forest.
A comprehensive inventory
and subsequent mapping of the ecosystems (vegetation‑soil associations and
faunal data) in the Suriname lowlands resulted in “Reconnaissance Map
Surinam Lowland Ecosystems (Coastal Region and Savanna Belt), scale 1:
200,000 (Teunissen, 1978).
3. Wildlife Management
The Game Law of 1954
(Government Bulletin 1954 no. 25)distinguishes the following wildlife
categories: game species, cage species, predominantly harmful species and
protected species. The wild animal species (especially reptiles, amphibians
and invertebrates) which do not fall under these categories are not
protected by the Game Law. However, CITES species may fall under any of the
categories of the Game Law, and may even include unprotected species. CITES
is applied in Suriname following article 15 paragraph 2 of the Game Law for
animal species and following art.49 paragraph 4 of the Law of Forest
Management (Government Bulletin 1992 no. 80) for plant species.
In order to regulate the
export of wildlife an export quota system for exporters, non‑residents and
residents has been established by the Government of Suriname. The export of
wildlife is only permitted for the species mentioned on the quota-list and
for the respective quota, which are established annually. The minimal
Free‑On‑Board values for each species are also established each year. The
permit fee is 2% of these F.O.B. values.
The Game Resolution of 1970
is replaced by a new Game Resolution per 1 Januari 2003. The Resolusion
sets bag-limits for game species and cage species and extend the coverage
of the Game Law over the entire land surface and the 200 miles maritime zone
(the territorial sea and the economic zone). In the southern zone (in the
far interior where people have to rely on subsistence hunting) hunting on
game species and cage species is open the whole year and there is no
bag-limit for these species.
4. Policy and legislation on
protected areas
The policy on protected
areas aims at the conservation and management of the natural resources and
the sustainable use of these resources.
National laws for the
protection of natural areas are the following:
In the Preamble and article
1 of the Nature Preservation Law it is stated that the conservation of
natural richness is needed for science, recreation. and education, and due
to ethical, esthetical and economical considerations. The economical
considerations are for instance nature tourism and maintenance of
genetic resources (wild "strains” of related industrial crops, vegetables,
fruits, plants used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals etc.).
Article 2 of the Nature Preservation
Law, when (unofficially) translated into English, reads as follows: "To be
designated as a nature reserve, the area has to satisfy the following
requirements: that it deserves protection by the Government because of its
varied nature and scenic beauty; and/or because of the presence of -‑from a
scientifically or culturally significant point of view ‑- important flora,
fauna, or geological objects.".
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The Law on
Forest Management("Wet Bosbeheer", SB 1992 no.
80): it replaces the Timber Law of 1947. The management of this Law is
mandated to the parastatal Foundation for Forest Management and
Production Control (SBB). This new law have several categories of
forests; some can be considered as protected areas:
1.
Protection Forest
("Schermbos").
2.
Specially Protected
Forest ("Speciaal beschermd bos").
The holders of exploration
permits or concessions are required to respect the traditional rights of the
tribal communities ( “ gewoonterechten van de in stamverband levende en
wonende boslandbewoners “ ) in their villages, settlements, and on their
shifting cultivation grounds that are located within the boundaries of their
terrains . On basis of the Timber Law, the President had issued cutting
permits for timber exploitation (so‑called “houtkap‑vergunningen” ) to
these tribal communities, under conditions set by Government Resolution. In
the new Law on Forest Management the cutting permit areas are called
Community Forests ( ” Gemeenschapsbos “ ) and may include one or more
categories of forests.
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The Laws on
the Issuance of State‑owned Lands ("Agrarische
Wet" of 1937 and "Decreet Uitgifte Domeingrond" of 15 June 1982) are
also used to protect certain natural areas. For instance the Brownsberg
Nature Park, has been issued on a long‑term lease base to the Foundation
for Nature Preservation in Suriname. The Foundation manages it as a
national park
Furthermore the Bigi Pan
estuarine area has been put at the disposal of (“ter beschikking gesteld
van”) the Ministry of Natural Resources, and is managed by the Forest
Service as a Multiple‑Use Management Area (MUMA). In the same way MUMA's
have been established in North Commewijne‑Marowijne, North Saramacca and
North Coronie areas. In this way the remaining estuarine areas of North
Wanica – Paramaribo and between Wia Wia and Galibi Nature Reserves are not
yet proposed or established as a MUMA. It is important that these areas
become a MUMA, so that the entire estuarine zone will be covered by this
form of protected area.
The Ministerial Decree on
Guidelines Issuance of Land in Estuarine Management Areas 2005 (No. 180/0036
of 15 February 2005) gives e.g. instructions regarding zones where issuance
of land is possible or not and regarding the conditions for issuance.
Note that MUMA’s officially
cover only FREE DOMAINLAND; that means that domainland that is issued and
has a certain title (on the land) is NOT a part of the MUMA. However, the
four MUMA Management Plans cover the entire landarea’s (free domainland AND
titled land) and the adjacent sea untill the six-meter-depth line.
In the Planning Law the
Government underlined the importance of protected areas. Article 3 paragraph
3 indicates the necessity "to create spatial conditions for the maintenance
of a sound living environment, for instance by securing nature reserves and
recreational spaces in conformity with the future extent of the population,
and also by safeguarding cleanliness of soil, water and air".
5. Characteristics of
protected areas
( mainly from M. Werkhoven and F. Baal, 1995)
Established protected
areas:
(Note: Numbers refer to those on the map.)
1. Hertenrits Nature
Reserve
(approx. 100 ha; IUCN Category III; 1972) is an archeological monument of
pre‑Columbian culture of the Indigenous People.
I. Bigi Pan Multiple‑Use
Management Area*. (Approx.
67,900 ha of free domain and and titled land ; this 67,900 ha does not
include the 100 ha of the HERTENRITS Nature Reserve ; IUCN Category VI;
1987). See: Ministerial Decree of 30 December 1987 no. 4423/0880 in the
Advertising Bulletin of the Republic Suriname 2002 no. 94.
This area is the western
part of the Suriname estuarine zone and comprises some 67,900 ha of land (
not including 100 ha Hertenrits Nature Reserve), and at least an equal area
of marine waters. It consists of fresh and brackish water ecosystems, has a
high productivity and serves as feeding and breeding grounds for large
numbers of local and migratory bird species. It is also nursery ground for
fish and shrimp.
*)Note that MUMA’s
officially cover only FREE DOMAINLAND; that means that domainland that is
issued and has a certain title (on the land) is NOT a part of the MUMA.
However, the four MUMA
Management Plans cover the entire landarea’s (free domainland AND titled
land) and the adjacent sea untill the six-meter-depth line.
In 1987, this area was
placed under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Natural Resources to be
managed as a Multiple-use Management Area. This was done to safeguard its
long‑term ecological functions, its high biological productivity and its
sustainable use by man.
II. North Coronie
Multiple-Use Management Area*
(approx. 27,200 ha of free domainland and titled land; IUCN Category VI;
2001) is the eastern extension of the Bigi Pan MUMA. See: Ministerial Decree
of 25 March 2001 no. 451/0129 in State Bulletin 2002 no. 87.
2.
Coppenamemonding Nature Reserve
(approx.12,000 ha; IUCN Category IV; 1966)
comprises of mudflats,
brackish water grass swamps, and
mangrove forests. It is primarily
intended to protect nesting colonies and roosting places of
herons, scarlet ibis and other waterfowl.
It is placed on the list of the Wetland Convention.
III. North Saramacca
Multiple-Use Management Area*
(approx. 88,400 ha of free domainland and titled land; this 88,400 ha does
not include the area of Coppename-monding NR; IUCN category VI; 2001) is
located around the Coppename-monding NR.
See: Ministerial Decree of
25 March 2001 n0. 452/0130 in State Bulletin 2002 no.88.
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Wia wia
Nature Reserve (approx. 36,000 ha; IUCN
category IV; 1961, exp. 1966).
Established to protect sea
turtle nesting beaches. Since the sand beaches have moved westward, out of
the reserve, no nesting of sea turtles takes place in the reserve at this
time. The reserve encompasses also mudflats and mangrove forests and offers
feeding, nesting and roosting sites for numerous species of local as well as
migratory birds.
IV. North Commewijne –
Marowijne Multiple-Use Management Area*
(approx. 61,500 ha of free domainland and titled land; this 61,500 ha does
not include the area of Wia Wia NR; IUCN category VI; 2002) is located
around the Wia Wia NR.
See: Ministerial Decree of 4
March 2002 no. 253/0085 in the Advertising Bulletin of the Republic of
Suriname 2002 no. 94.
4. Galibi Nature Reserve
(approx. 4,000 ha; IUCN category IV; 1969) is created to protect sea turtles
nesting beaches. It includes important nesting beaches for the leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and
the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).
5. Peruvia Nature Reserve
(approx. 31,000 ha;IUCN category IV; 1986) encompasses the last vast
complexes of Hura crepitans forests (which serve as a foraging area
for the blue‑and‑yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), and swamps alternating
with Mauritia flexuosa forests.
6. Boven‑Coesewijne Nature
Reserve
(approx. 27,000 ha; IUCN category IV; 1986) represents unbleached
brown‑sand savannas, mixed mesophytic forests. The river in the reserve is
an excellent habitat for manatees (Trichechus manatus), giant otters
(Pteronura brasiliensis), and spectacled caimans (Caiman
crocodilus).
*)Note that MUMA’s
officially cover only FREE DOMAINLAND; that means that domainland that is
issued and has a certain title (on the land) is NOT a part of the MUMA.
However, the four MUMA
Management Plans cover the entire landarea’s (free domainland AND titled
land) and the adjacent sea untill the six-meter-depth line.
7. Brinckheuvel Nature
Reserve
(approx. 6,000 ha; IUCN category IV; 1966) holds the most characteristic
part of the Subgraywacke landscape, formed by low, elongate, parallel, and
gently sloping ridges. The residual and colluvial soils bear savanna
vegetation while the alluvial soil bears xerophytic wood and mesophytic
forest.
8. Brownsberg
Nature Park ( approx. 12.200 ha; IUCN category
II; 1970, expanded. 2002) was obtained by STINASU in 1969 on long term
lease. It is the northern part of the Brownsberg plateau . Due to the
high biological diversity, the accessibility and the infrastructure,
this nature park has served as a center for research, nature education
and public awareness, as well as ecotourism.
9. Copi Nature
Reserve (approx. 28,000 ha; IUCN category IV;
1986).
The elevated clay flats of
the Old Coastal Plain support different forest types. Wet and dry savannas
are found on white sands, and clays. The reserve harbours also populations
of giant otters and caimans.
10. Wanekreek
Nature Reserve (approx 45,000 ha;IUCN category
IV; 1986).
Savannas on several soil
types are present, as well as marsh and ridge forests, and swamps. In
addition to remnants of pre‑columbian habitation and agriculture on ridged
fields, traces of settlements of the first runaway slaves are found here.
11. Sipaliwini Nature
Reserve
(approx 100.000 ha; IUCN category IV; 1972) is situated along the border
with Brazil. The savanna in this reserve is part of the extensive Paru
savanna of Brazil. There are also gallery forests, freshwater swamps,
isolated patches of forest, and granite outcroppings. At least one frog (Dendrobatus
azureus) is known to be endemic.
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Central
Suriname Nature Reserve (approx. 1,600,000 ha;
IUCN category I B;
1998) covers the
pre-existing Raleighvallen, Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haan Nature Reserves.
The CSNR was inscribed as a natural heritage site on the (UNESCO) World
Heritage List on 2 December 2000.
Note that on 6 May 2003
there has been a ceremony at Raleighvallen within the Central Suriname
Nature Reserve for the official proclamation of CSNR as a natural World
Heritage Site. The Director General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura had
handed over the UNESCO certificate with regards to the inscription of the
CSNR on the List of World Heritage Sites to the Minister of Natural
Resources of Suriname, Mr. Franco Demon in the presence of the Minster of
Education, Mr. Walter Sandriman, the Head of the Forest Service, Mr. Carlo
Julen, Chiefs of four Marroon/Indigenous People Tribes, other invited
officials, press and the Head of the Nature Conservation Division (also the
CSNR Site manager). The Director General of UNESCO also unveiled a plaquette
of the CNSR World Heritage Site.
Raleighvallen area:
The vegetation
predominantly consists of mixed mesophytic tropical rainforest, vegetation’s
in rapids and falls and granite outcroppings (inselberg), notably the
impressive 240 m. high, dome‑shaped Voltzberg and the 360 m high Van
Stockumberg. All eight in Suriname occurring species of primates live here.
About 350 bird species are
known to occur in the reserve, among these the Guianan Cock‑of‑the‑Rock (Rupicola
rupicola).
Tafelberg area:
The most interesting ecosystems here are part of the Roraima sandstone
formation. To our present knowledge, the Tafelberg (table mountain) is the
easternmost extension of what is left of this formation. The mountain has
the same physiography as the Kaieteuran series in Guyana and the Tepuis in
Venezuela A savanna, which is the only one on Roraima sandstone that is
situated at lower elevations, occurs also in the reserve. Primeval tropical
rainforest and other ecosystems occur here.
Eilerts de Haan area:
is part of a
mountain range with primeval tropical rainforest as well as ecosystems
typical of the mountainous interior.
Proposed protected areas:
(Note:
Numbers refer to those on the map.)
12. Nani Nature Reserve
(approx. 54,000 ha; IUCN category IV). The area encompasses mesophytic,
hydrophytic forests, and swaying swamps. This area is famous for its
populations of spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) and manatees (Trichechus
manatus).
13. Mac Clemen Forest
Reserve
(approx. 6,000 ha; IUCN category VI), with complexes of Mora and
Carapa spp.
14. Kaburikreek Nature
Reserve
(approx. 68,000 ha; IUCN category IV). The vegetation consists of mesophytic
and xerophytic forests. The creek is the habitat of a large population of
giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and the Guiana otter (Lutra
enudris).
15. Snake Creek Forest
Reserve
(4,000 ha; IUCN category VI), with Ocotea rodiaei complexes.
Note:
In 1976 the entire estuarine area was proposed as a special management area
(“bijzonder beheersgebied”) which is equivalent to a Multiple-Use Management
area. The areas north of the Wanica and Paramaribo districts and between the
Wia Wia and Galibi Nature Reserves are NOT yet established as MUMA.
6. International obligation
Suriname also has
international obligations regarding protected areas. In this regard,
Suriname has signed Agenda 21 and is party to the following
conventions and agreements:
·
The Convention
on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere
(Western Hemisphere Convention),
·
The Convention
on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
(Wetlands Convention),
·
The Convention
on Biological Diversity,
·
The Amazon
Cooperative Treaty,
·
The United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
·
The World
Heritage Convention,
·
The United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,
·
Bilateral
agreements with e.g. Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Suriname is also in the
process to accede to:
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The Convention
for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the
Wider Caribbean Region, and its Protocols (Oil Spills, and Specially
Protected Areas and Wildlife, and Land‑based sources of Pollution). Note
: Suriname officially participates in the Caribbean Environment
Programme.
The Nature Conservation
Division of Forest Service and STINASU co‑operate with several
international and foreign organizations such as the:
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United Nations
Development Program (UNDP),
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Global
Environment Facility (GEF),
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United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP),
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Special
Environment Commission of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (CEMAA),
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Caribbean
Environment Program (CEP),
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Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network ( WHSRN ),
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World Wildlife Fund ( WWF),
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World
Conservation Union (lUCN) and its Commissions,
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Conservation
International (CI),
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French Reginal
Office of Environment and other conservation organisations in Cayenne,
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Environment
Protection Agency , the Wildlife Bureau and other conservation
organisations in Georgetown, Guyana, and the
-
State
Institute for Nature Management (RIN) and other conservation
organisations in The Netherlands.
Within Suriname the Nature
Conservation Division maintains contacts and cooperation relationships with
several government agencies ( including the University ), non‑government
agencies ( e.g. Suriname Conservation Foundation ) and with the local
communities.
Note: Suriname Conservation
Foundation (a trust fund) was established in 2001 with financial input from
several donors to enhance biodiversity conservation/management in Suriname .
7. Participation of local
communities
The Nature Preservation
Resolution of 1986 includes a provision for the so‑called
"traditional”rights and interests of tribal communities with regard to the
established protected areas .
Several meetings with these
communities had resulted in an agreement that people living in tribal
communities would be able to maintain their "traditional “ rights and
interests inside the nature reserves which were established, provided that:
-
no harm is
done to the national objectives of the proposed nature reserves;
-
the motives
for these "traditional “ rights and interests still exist; and
-
the
"traditional “ rights and interests are limited to the time of
consolidation of all people into a unified citizenship of Suriname.
The "traditional “ rights
and interests can be described as follows:
These activities may only take place on public
lands , which have not yet been formally
issued to third parties. Furthermore, this freedom of action is limited by
their own traditional and cultural norms and the general laws and the
specific legal instruments on hunting, fishing, and forest utilization.
The policy of the Forest
Service with regard to the involvement of the local communities has two
"tracks”:
-
For
long term activities a management
plan for each protected area will be drafted after consultation with the
local communities. In this plan a consultation structure will be
elaborated with regard to the management of the area concerned.
Note : At present there is a
Consultation Commission for the Galibi Nature Reserve with two
representatives of the nearby villages Christiaankondre and Langamankondre,
one representative of the Districts Commissioner of district Marowijne, the
Head of the Fisheries Service, the Director STINASU and the Head of the
Nature Conservation Division (chair).
-
For short
term activities several projects (e.g. on nature tourism,
agriculture and fisheries) can be drafted with the involvement of the
local communities.
Note : In the Galibi Nature Reserve
there is at present a cooperation on nature tourism and sea
turtle conservation between the local organisation STIDUNAL and
STINASU.
Lit.: Werkhoven M.C.M. and
F.L.J. BaaL 1995. Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Suriname.
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