BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM · INTRODUCTION (ctd) • Integrating biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism development provides a mechanism for bringing

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 inter-

linked 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 constituency-

building 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

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total Visitor Arrivals

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-of-

the-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

Jaguarundi

Ocelot

Golden Rocket Frog

Cock-of-the Rock

Bromeliad Bushmaster

White Plumed

Antbird

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 IUCN categorie

I Nature Corridor I a,b

II Peperpot Nature Park 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

Sunset at Semoni Lake in the Rupununi, close to Karanambu Ranch (© WWF Guianas)

Thank You