Indigenous people take action to protect forest
Posted on March, 27 2015
An initiative led by two indigenous communities in Suriname aims to create a 7.2 million hectare conservation corridor that will link to, and expand, a huge transboundary protected area network in Brazil and French Guiana in the northern Amazon.
An initiative led by two indigenous communities in Suriname aims to create a 7.2 million hectare conservation corridor that will link to, and expand, a huge transboundary protected area network in Brazil and French Guiana in the northern Amazon. In March the Trio and Wayana peoples presented a declaration of cooperation to the Surinamese government, to initiate creation of the corridor which will cover half the country. The role of local communities is central to this initiative, which aims to protect one of the world’s most intact forests with huge importance for biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and freshwater security. Next steps will include work by WWF to explore sustainable funding opportunities, and a legal status for the conservation area.
Water is a precious resource in Suriname, providing many of the goods and services people throughout the country depend upon. Here, a local fisherman - and one of the team’s invaluable guides - leaps through the rapids with his makeshift fishing pole.
© ©Brian O´Shea
Water is a precious resource in Suriname, providing many of the goods and services people throughout the country depend upon. Here, a local fisherman - and one of the team’s invaluable guides - leaps through the rapids with his makeshift fishing pole.
© ©Brian O´Shea