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BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM A WWF GUIANAS PERSPECTIVE Presenter: Dr. Patrick Williams Country Manager WWF Guianas (Guyana Office) INTRODUCTION • • • • 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? • • 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)