BACKGROUND
The Place:
Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. 80% of Suriname's land surface is covered with tropical rainforest. The Suriname River is 480 km long and flows through the country of Suriname. At the Upper Suriname river there are approximatly 20'000 people living in 63 villages.
The People:
Surinamese Maroons (descendants of escaped West African slaves) make up 10% and are divided into five main groups. One of them are the Saramaka who established small communities along the Suriname River during the 18th century.
They formed fiercely independent communities around the cultivation of cassava, taro, plantation, hunting and fishing. The Saramaka people live in huts made of palm leaves, the housing style is reminiscent of West African huts.
The culture of the Saramakas is rich, and they are well known as sculptors. They have only an oral tradition, rich in historical stories, in riddles and short tales and songs.
The Situation:
In recent years the tourism sector in Suriname has flourished. By the end of 2006, tourism had grown by 400% compared with 2005. Most tourists visit Suriname for the outstanding biodiversity of the pristine Amazonian rainforests as well as the many Maroon and Amerindian villages.
Ecotourism and sustainable development have become prevalent concepts since the late 1980s, and ecotourism has experienced arguably the fastest growth of all sub-sectors in the tourism industry. The popularity represents a change in tourist perceptions, increased environmental awareness, and a desire to explore natural environments. Such changes have become as much a statement affirming one's social identity, educational sophistication, and disposable income as it has about preserving the Amazon rainforest.
Most forms of ecotourism are owned by foreign investors and corporations that provide few benefits to local communities. An overwhelming majority of profits are put into the pockets of investors instead of reinvestment into the local economy or environmental protection. The limited numbers of local people who are employed in the economy enter at its lowest level, and are unable to live in tourist areas because of meager wages and a two market system.
People at the Upper Suriname region like to profit too from the touristic activities. In the last few years a lot of new camps opend. Without a coordinated organisational structur, there will no be success.
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities..
ABOUT US
The need to set up LBS
The Idea:
In the beginning of the year 2007 a small group of Saramacaan Lodgholders saw the need, to get organized.
They realised, that if nobody is doing something, there will be no possibility to profit for the whole region.
The Form:
Sinds 14 july 2008 «Stichting Lodgeholders Boven Suriname» is a non governmental, non profit organistion, registered in Suriname.
LBS decided, a membership for the Lodge Holders/Owners is without a fee, because a lot of them doesn't have an administration jet, and therefore no control over income and expences, they work from «the pocket to the mouth». A lot of them wouldn't join LBS, if there would be a fee. In terms of global thinking for all the inhabitants of the region it is important, to motivate all the Lodge Holders to join LBS.
LBS is functioning as an umbrella organization. This is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. The umbrella organization provides resources and an identity to the smaller organizations.
People behind
President:
Jangjanman (S. Frans Dinge), Kosindo/Kajana, 0884 12 73, jangjanman@upper-suriname.com
Secretary:
Wally (Waldie Ajaiso), Tei Wei/Guunsi, 0855 62 78, wally.ajaiso@upper-suriname.com
Accountant:
Jolitha Rietfeld, Brokopodo/Paramaribo, 0897 65 82, jolitha.rietfeld@upper-suriname.com
Media and information:
Brigitte Küchler, Saramacca and Switzerland, brigitte.kuechler@upper-suriname.com
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