Whither Community Based-Ecotourism as a Sustainable Development Driver: the case of Surama,

Guyana

Paper presented by

Paulette Bynoe, PhDDirector, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

University of Guyana

International ConferenceTurtle Conservation, Ecotourism and Sustainable Community

Development

UWI-SALISESLearning Resource Centre

July 29, 2009

Outline of Presentation

• Definition of concepts

• Background

• Discussion of sustainable development impacts of CBE project

• Conclusion: addressing the question: can ecotourism be a sustainable development driver?

Definition of Concepts

• Ecotourism lacks consensus in its definition and origins, in view of the very diverse forms in which ecotourism activities are offered by different stakeholders (Weaver, 1998; Campbell 1999; Fennell, 1999; Ross and Wall, 1999; Stronza, 2001; WTO-UNEP, 2002;).

• The term “allows actors to speak the same language while pursuing different objectives” (Gray, 2003, p. 113) and may therefore be defined both in terms of the ‘product’ and as ‘operating principles’ (Cater, 1994).

• It is envisioned as a tool for both conservation and sustainable development, especially in areas where local people are asked to forego the consumptive use of resources for others.” (Weaver and Pierce, 1996, p. 848)

Definition of Concepts• “Ecotourism provides an opportunity for community development, while they

participate in the preservation of fragile and threatened areas or endangered species” (Enriquez, 1998, p.129).

• The role assumed for ecotourism in conservation and development is based on its ability to provide economic incentives through employment and income (Hasler, 1996), though the extent of such provision is far from being uniform around the world.

• Sustainable development integrates environment with development and is based on the following pillars of sustainability: ecological, economic. social and institutional.

• CBE implies that the community: cares for its own natural resources in order to promote socio-economic development; provides local people with income through tourism; uses ecotourism income to better the lives of its people and fits the needs and aspirations of host communities in a manner that is acceptable to them (Fitton, 1996; Wood, 2002)).

Background• Amerindians are the fourth largest ethnic group in Guyana in Guyana,

accounting for 9.2 per cent of the 751,223 persons in Guyana (Guyana Census Report, 2002).

• The 1999 Guyana Survey of Living Conditions (GSLC) Survey records 78.4 per cent absolute poverty in the rural interior, where most Amerindians reside.

• Amerindians have lived from subsistence economies such as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture, hunting, fishing, gathering, and seasonal herding (CIDA, 1997).

• Traditionally, Amerindians livelihood systems are tied to the forests and savannah ecosystems and are largely dependent on natural resources (land, forests, and wildlife).

Background

• Surama, a predominantly Makushi community comprising 38 households and a total population of 224 (in 2003) was established in 1973.

• Surama is located on five square miles of leased land on flat savannah, and bordered by the forested Pakaraima Mountain, described as the transition between the savannahs and the mountains in the North Rupununi, adjacent to the Iwokrama Forest (a PA).

• Surama’s ecotourism potential in based on its wealth- the culture of the community and the beauty of the space they occupy.

Background• Tourists can:

– take tours of the village during the day, grasping the opportunity to visit the local primary and nursery schools, the medical centre, church, and the cassava project.;

– interact with community members who often organise cultural performances depicting their traditional mode of dress, dance, songs and poems.

– talk about their countries of origin as a means of enlightening Amerindian children about the ‘outside’ world.

– be involved in other activities including hiking across the savannah or up the Surama Mountain Trail, or canoeing along the Burro Burro River, which provides a common border for Surama and the Iwokrama Forest.

The Director of Surama Ecotourism Business revealed that the implied policy of community was as follows:

• Ecotourism will not replace anything, but will support ventures in our

areas. We have a product that could make some money without having to

destroy anything or anyone. Instead of trapping a hundred macaws or one

hundred wild hogs or cutting down thousands of trees for sale, we could

learn scientific or common or indigenous names of these things, build

trails, have rivers cleared, see where these Harpy Eagles are, get hooked

up to tour operators and sell these products.

(pers. comm.)

Discussion of Sustainable Development Impacts

Conservation

• Public environmental awareness outreach programmes to foster conservation awareness by Macushi researchers.

• Households have made a conscious effort to reduce their exploitation of the forests for fuel wood and the building materials, for example the use of zinc sheets instead of palm leaves used as roofing materials, and solar power rather than fossil fuels for electricity generation.

• The collection of building materials from the forest was a concern for the community, as more trees had to be felled in response to need of the growing local population, and this was perceived as an unsustainable practice.

Conservation Cont’d• Prohibition of hunting of wildlife along the Burro Burro

River: this was described by one household as ‘not good’ for men. However, households preferred to observe the ‘rules’ of the community, rather than create internal conflicts.

• In 1994, a ban was placed on wildlife trapping and has since been upheld. The wildlife is being protected to promote the ecotourism venture.

• Hunting in other areas is done in a controlled manner and is monitored by the Surama Community Wildlife Club.

• Direct job opportunities for 10 persons ten individuals as tour guide (4), cook (2) caretaker (1) maid (1) guest house manager (1) and porter (1).

• Jobs are best described as casual, since employees are rotated monthly, providing that the business is profitable.

• Indirect jobs = 15 comprising craft making, sewing, embroidery, and selling agricultural produce or products

Discussion of Sustainable Development ImpactsJob Category Average Monthly

earnings   G$200 = US$1.00

Tour guide US$ 12.93

Cook US$ 98.31

Maid US$ 20.70

Guest House Manager

US$ 98.30

Caretaker US$ 299.06

• Only 4 households identified ecotourism as the most important income source.

• Diversification of Surama’s local economy has created opportunities for maximum local involvement in the monetized economy.

• Surama Ecotourism Business has managed to establish linkages between sectors in the local economy

• Households spent ecotourism related incomes on consumables not produced locally, building materials for housing, schoolbooks and uniforms for the children, clothing for the entire family and labour.

• Each visitor paid a head tax of US$2.59; also every ecotourism employee contributed the same amount on a monthly basis to the community fund used for emergencies.

Discussion of Sustainable Development Impacts

Discussion of Sustainable Development Impacts

Social and Institutional

• Greater interaction among households and formation of Special Committees (ecotourism, sewing and embroidery, cassava project, craft, ) to ensure diversification of local economy.

• Enhancement of human capital through education and skills training transferrable to other economic ventures.

• General improvement in communication networks and enhancement of social capital (establishment of internet facility, direct contact with ‘outside world’), direct bargaining power.

• Over 80 percent of households perceived that ecotourism had led to the revival and preservation of their culture:

One community elder noted that “people were once ashamed to talk about their way of life, however, currently, they are thrilled to share their culture and still do not fully understand why people from across the world would travel great distances and at great expense to visit a community that was so ordinary”. Mascushi language is taught in the schools.

Conclusion: Can ecotourism be a Sustainable Development Driver?

• Yes, but it’s contextual; hence issue of replication.

• Certain conditions should exist: community awareness and support, community cohesion, maximum local participation, a diversified local economy with linkages with ecotourism, leadership skills, training in accounting etc.

MANY THANKS FOR LISTENING