Download BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
A WWF GUIANAS
PERSPECTIVE
Presenter: Dr. Patrick Williams
Country Manager
WWF Guianas (Guyana Office)
INTRODUCTION
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High population growth rates and
demand for natural resources are
posing major threats to pristine
biologically rich areas
Logging, mining and hydro-dam
construction are activities that
create conflicts in resource use and
contribute to degradation
Conservation organizations are of
the view that integrating
environmental concerns into
economic activities is needed to
bring about a more balanced
development
Public Awareness, WWF at Berbice Expo (©
WWF Guianas)
INTRODUCTION (ctd)
• Integrating biodiversity
conservation and sustainable
tourism development
provides a mechanism for
bringing a balanced approach
to development in biologically
sensitive environments
• But it is not all plain sailing.
There are threats and
opportunities to be addressed
if success to be achieved.
Grass Pond a Community Tourism site at
Rewa, North Rupununi (© WWF Guianas)
What are the threats and opportunities?
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Biodiversity conservation and
sustainable tourism are interlinked thus the threats or
challenges to biodiversity
tend to impact negatively on
the tourism sector and vice
versa.
Stakeholder participation,
good governance and
education and awareness are
keys to successful
integration
Squirrel and Red-Howler Monkeys (© WWF Guianas)
Threats to biodiversity Conservation and
Sustainable Tourism
• Over-exploitation of
resources
• Climate change
• Lack of education &
awareness
• Socio-economic issues
• Weak and inefficient
institutional structures
• Governance issues
• Limited data and ineffective
monitoring systems
North Rupununi, Guyana
Opportunities for Biodiversity
Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
• Provide a source of
funding
• Provide an economic
justification for PA
establishment
• Provide economic
alternatives for local &
indigenous peoples
• Support constituencybuilding and partnerships
for biodiversity promotion
Road trip in South-Central Rupununi (© WWF Guianas)
Opportunities (ctd)
• Provide an impetus for
local investment in
biodiversity conservation
• Sustainable tourism
provides a tool for
biodiversity conservation
• Biodiversity conservation
supports and reinforces
sustainable tourism
• Biodiversity remains one
of foremost attractions for
nature lovers.
Community Consultation at for KNP Management
Planning
Kaieteur National Park:
Case-study 1
Aerial View of Kaieteur Falls (© WWF Guianas)
KNP as A Protected Area
• KNP was established in 1929 by
the Kaieteur National Park Act
• Soon to be approved integrated
management plan
• with ecotourism development &
impact monitoring included
• Development will be
complementary to the park
• Biodiversity monitoring and
research are on-going
• Two Amerindian Communities
associated with the Park
• Visitor and tour operator rules and
regulations in place and soon to be
revised to protect the Park
Visitor Arrival Centre at KNP © WWF Guianas)
KNP Visitor Trends
Total Visitor Arrivals
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Kaieteur National Park visitor arrivals for the period 2001 to 2010
Sourced from the KNP Draft Tourism Plan
Ecotourism in KNP
• Visitors avg. 3100 per
year for last 10 yrs.
• Trips to KNP are by air
and land
• Mainly Day trips of
guided tours by the
falls & along cock-ofthe-rock trails
• Overland trips take 4 –
5 days from Mahdia.
• KNP has a visitor centre
A part of the Field Survey Team at KNP (© WWF
Guianas)
Biodiversity of Kaieteur
Golden Rocket Frog
Ocelot
Cock-of-the Rock
White Plumed
Antbird
Jaguarundi
Bromeliad
Bushmaster
WWF in KNP
• WWF’s Goal: To advance the
effective conservation and
mgt. of the KNP & wider
ecosystem.
• WWF invested about
US$181,000; plus
US$320,000 ear-marked for
the immediate future.
Kaieteur Gorge View (© WWF Guianas)
WWF in KNP (ctd)
WWF’s support includes:
• Integrated mgt planning
process
• Preliminary biodiversity
assessment
• Partial plan implementation
• Community development &
participation in KNP
• Some tourism development
• Refresher trainings for staff
• Zoning of KNP
View of Kaieteur Falls (© WWF Guianas)
Peperpot Nature Park &
Nature Corridor:
Case-study 2
Peperpot
Nature
Corridor
Gebied
I Nature Corridor
II Peperpot Nature Park
IUCN categorie
I a,b
II
IUCN Protected Area Management
Categories
Peperpot is Considered in IUCN Categories:
I: Strict Nature Reserve & Wilderness Area: protected
area managed mainly for ecosystem & wilderness
protection and science.
II: National Park: protected area managed mainly for
ecosystem protection, while providing a foundation for
spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and
visitor opportunities, all of which must be
environmentally and culturally compatible.
IUCN: the International Union for Conservation of Nature
at 10 minutes distance of Paramaribo
Peperpot is famous for its birds
Vogelboekje
Peperpot
Peperpot
brochures
Bird Watching
Generally Enjoying Nature
20 feb.
2011
But Also Education
Education
Thank You
Sunset at Semoni Lake in the Rupununi, close to Karanambu Ranch (© WWF Guianas)