Whither Community Based-Ecotourism
as a Sustainable Development Driver: the case of Surama,
Guyana
Paper presented
by
Paulette Bynoe, PhD
Director, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Guyana
International Conference
Turtle Conservation, Ecotourism and Sustainable Community
Development
UWI-SALISES
Learning 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).
•
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
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.
Discussion of Sustainable Development Impacts
Job Category
• Direct job opportunities for 10
persons ten individuals as tour
guide (4), cook (2) caretaker (1)
maid (1) guest house manager (1) Tour guide
and porter (1).
Cook
Maid
• Jobs are best described as casual,
Guest House
since employees are rotated
Manager
monthly, providing that the
Caretaker
business is profitable.
• Indirect jobs = 15 comprising craft
making, sewing, embroidery, and
selling agricultural produce or
products
Average Monthly
earnings
G$200 = US$1.00
US$ 12.93
US$ 98.31
US$ 20.70
US$ 98.30
US$ 299.06
Discussion of Sustainable Development Impacts
• 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
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