Subject: BIOD: Suriname Rainforest Update
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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS
Suriname Rainforest Update
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Forest Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises
http://forests.org/ic.net/~blazingta.htmlm
11/15/97
OVERVIEW, SOURCE & COMMENTARY by EE
The World Rainforest Movement provides a detailed account of recent
developments in the Suriname's rainforest conservation movement. The
note the further intensification of forest harvest, providing many
details of recent developments.
g.b.
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Title: Suriname Information Update
Source: Forest Peoples Programme, World Rainforest Movement
Status: Distribute freely with accreditation given to source
Date: November 5, 1997
/** rainfor.genera: 57.1 **/
** Written 4:42 PM Nov 5, 1997 by gn:wrm in cdp:rainfor.genera **
FOREST PEOPLES PROGRAMME
Suriname Information Update
1 November 1997
On October 7, Errol Alibux, Suriname's Minister of Natural Resources
and the Dutch Ambassador to Suriname signed a contract worth US$30
million for the Forestry Production Control Project. This project,
supported by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, is intended
to monitor logging activities by using mobile inspection units. This
is one component of a larger project that will support reconstruction
of the Forest Service's infrastructure that was destroyed in the Civil
War (1986-92) and the establishment of a Timber Institute to control
logging and promote investment in the Forestry Sector.
Alibux also stated that protected areas would be increased from 5% of
Suriname's total area to 10%. The Global Environmental Facility has
just completed a preliminary assessment to identify additional areas
for protection. Both control over logging and increased protection of
biodiversity were said to be part of Suriname's quest for sustainable
development and larger responsibility to the World. They were also
essential, he concluded, as Suriname intends to intensify logging
activities in the near future.
Alibux didn't say, however, that logging concessions have already been
granted and operations have already begun therein. Berjaya Bhd., a
notorious Malaysian logging company was granted an exploratory
concession in August of this year. Berjaya has been working illegally
in Suriname for the past year and a half through a front company
called Suriname American Wood Industries. Government officials were
well aware of this. An exploratory concession gives Berjaya the
right to conduct an inventory of commercial timber and to develop a
management plan within two years. Subject to approval of the
management plan, it can then begin cutting. Berjaya has already
started constructing roads inside its concession and (unverified)
reports have surfaced that it is already cutting timber. This
concession is directly adjacent to the Bronsberg Nature Reserve.
Reports (unverified) have also been made that Berjaya is cutting
inside the Nature Reserve.
At least two other large concessions have also been granted. One of
these is on the South-east point of the Van Blomenstein reservoir.
This is way beyond the bounds of the existing forestry belt. To whom
it has been granted is unknown.
A joint Surinamese-Chinese company, operating under the name of NV
Tacoba obtained a concession in October 1996. This concession covers
a large area beginning near the Bronsberg Nature Reserve and South to
within 3 kilometres of the Maroon community of Pokigron.
Representatives of Tacoba, described in the press as "English-speaking
Chinese," were recently in the Maroon communities of Guyaba and Nieuw
Aurora. They said that they were about to commence logging operations
in the area.
When the communities objected, stating that approval had not been
obtained from the village councils, the Tacoba representatives said
that they did not need to do so as they had made a deal with the
Saramacca Maroon Granman (paramount leader), Songo Aboikoni, to work
in his concession. This 127,000 hectare concession was obtained under
the name of Sorejo Mining NV, although it is unclear whether it has
officially been granted yet.
Guyaba and Nieuw Aurora, and the other communities in the concession
are outraged. They say that the Granman has no right to give Maroon
land to loggers as the land belongs to the clans that make up
Saramaccan society, not to the Granman. They intend to hold a krutu
(gathering) of all the affected villages soon to make their objections
know to the government and the Granman. In particular, they will
demand that the government withdraw the concession, remove Tacoba and
legally recognise their rights to their lands and resources. Tacoba
meanwhile has started to construct roads into the concession.
Indonesian company Barito Pacific Timber Group was recently in
Suriname to investigate the possibility of investing in oil palm
production. The meeting was attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to
Suriname and the Surinamese Ambassador to Indonesia. Barito is
Indonesia's largest plywood producer with close ties to the Indonesian
government. It has not ruled out the possibility that it also
interested in logging in Suriname. Indeed, it was looking into the
possibility of buying into Brunzeel, the Surinamese parastatal timber
company. According to company documents, it needs to secure
additional log supplies to maintain its plywood production operations
at optimal levels.
Surinamese President Wijdenbosch flew to Indonesia on the 11th of
October. Rumors have it that a deal will be signed with Barito while
he is there. Stating that Suriname is moving away from traditional
donors and investors in favour of regional (Brazil in particular) and
Asian partners, the President said that he will also discuss
Indonesian investment in logging, mining and the energy sector.
"Energy sector" means the Kabelebo dam project that will submerge a
large area of pristine rainforest to provide power for, among others,
bauxite and gold mining and logging in West Suriname.
Given the controversy and intense international pressure inspired by
Suriname's plan to hand out 3-5 million hectares of rainforest to
Berjaya, MUSA and Suri-Atlantic in 1995, it is understandable that the
government is being very cautious about granting logging concessions.
Increasing protected areas, provided Indigenous and Maroon rights are
recognized and respected, and increasing the capacity of the Forest
Service appear to be positive measures. Serious questions must be
raised however, about the sincerity of the government and other issues
must also be addressed.
For instance, Indonesian company, MUSA, is still operating with
impunity throughout the interior. Its operations jump around from
place to place with no regard for the bounds of its concession. It
continues to induce local communities to strip their communal forest
areas. This is illegal under Surinamese law. It has also been
accused of cutting experimental forest plots used for studying
sustainable forestry practices. MUSA's operations are so bad that
Skephi, an Indonesian NGO, felt it necessary to inform the Indonesian
parliament. MUSA's operations have violated Surinamese laws on
multiple counts and it has never been fined, let alone prosecuted
despite widespread awareness of these abuses. It is assumed that MUSA
is being protected by former military dictator, Desi Bouterse, himself
active as a third party timber buyer.
Also, the government must reform timber royalties and export duties.
These rates are ridiculously low. In fact they have barely changed
from rates applicable in 1947. Regulations raising the rates have
been drafted and approved but have never been published. A law cannot
be implemented until it is published. In recent years, government
revenue from logging has been as little as US$500.00. When expenses
related to the Forestry Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources
are added up, the government actually loses money on logging.
Undoubtedly, the low rates have been maintained due to the influence
of powerful local elites, like Bouterse. If royalties and duties are
not reformed, government assertions that logging is needed for revenue
generation must be considered as dishonest.
Last, but by no means least, Indigenous and Maroon rights to land and
resources are still not legally recognized in Surinamese law. The
government continues to give out vast tracks of their ancestral lands
to logging and mining companies without their consent or knowledge.
Failure to recognize and respect these rights violates international
human rights standards voluntarily accepted by Suriname and threatens
peace and stability in the interior. Indigenous peoples and Maroons
have stated as recently as one year ago that they will fight to defend
their lands against miners and loggers. Also, recent government
statements on protected areas indicate that Indigenous and Maroon
rights will be neither recognized nor respected. If Alibux gets his
way these areas will be prohibited to humans with the exception of
paying ecotourists.
For more information, please contact:
Forest Peoples Programme
1c, Fosseway Business Centre
Stratford Road
Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9NQ
United Kingdom
Tel. 44. 1608. 652. 893. Fax. 44. 1608. 652. 878
Email : wrm@gn.apc.org
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