Almost the entire forest land in Suriname is state-owned. The responsibility and authority regarding the state of forests is with the Government. Deforestation in Suriname is negligible; during the last 10 years, less than one percent of the forest land of Suriname has been converted into other uses, primarly for mining purposes.

The forests are a substantial carbon dioxide sink and contribute to combating the intensification of the global greenhouse effect.

The latest national forest inventories were carried out by the Forest Service with the assistance of FAO, with a total inventory area of 400,000 ha from 1070 to 1974 and an additional 80,000 ha from 1979-1982.

Several plans and/or projects have been prepared or are under preparation to improve Suriname's capacity for the sustainable management of forests. Assistance for institutional strengthening, capacity-building and policy formulation is given by the main partners with regard to forest development, namely the UNDP, European Union, FAO and the Netherlands. Within the framework of the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty, several projects directed to sustainable use of natural environment are being undertaken.

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

There are no deserts or areas in danger of becoming deserts in Suriname.

Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992 and ratified in 1996.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was signed in 1981 and ratified in 1995.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Over 80% of the land surface (165,940 km2) of Suriname is covered by tropical rainforests, while the very small human population (approx. 400,000) is concentrated in and around the capital, Paramaribo, and along the coast. The biological diversity is high: 185 mammal species (spp.), 668 bird spp., 152 reptile spp., 95 amphibian spp., 452 fish spp., 6,135 plant spp., (of which 5,075 Spermatophyte spp.) and 1,750 Invertebrate spp., while large areas of the interior (the Guyana Shield) still remain unknown for their flora, fauna, ecosystems and ecological relations. Many inventories were conducted between 1900 and 1980 by foreign institutions, and most specimens collected were taken out of Suriname.

The Nature Preservation Law of 1954 provides a possibility to establish nature reserves (now 13), and other laws for other categories of protected areas; altogether 804,000 ha or approx. 5% of the land surface. Inventories of ecosystems of the interior will enlarge these figures for protected areas. The Game Law fully protects all mammals, birds, sea turtles and other species mentioned, except those that are designated as game spp., cage spp. and predominantly harmful spp.

The Fish Protection Law for inland waters protects eight fish spp. by setting limits on the size to be captured. It also determines non-fishing seasons for certain species.

The Sea Fisheries Law (for the territorial sea and the economic zone) contains the framework for sea fisheries, e.g. the possibility for establishing quota for certain species in certain fishing areas.

The Law on Forest Management regulates the exploration and exploitation of timber in forest areas (which will be categorized as permanent production forests, especially protected forests, conversion forests, reserved forests and communal forests). The law also regulates the collection and export of non-timber products (including medicinal plants). Amerindians and Maroons use many plants and animals for their subsistence as food and medicine for ritual purposes.

A project on bioprospecting of medicinal plants started in 1994 and the second phase in 1995. Within the framework of a GEF project, preliminary regulations will be formulated for the contents of contracts, and the sharing of results and benefits gained from the research, development and utilization of biological resources.

The extent of mercury pollution from small-scale gold mining and its influence on the biodiversity are unknown.

A National Strategy on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity and a National Environmental Action Plan are being drafted with the financial support of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty/UNDP respectively of the Organization of American States.

Export of wildlife is regulated by the CITES provisions and a voluntary quota system.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was signed on 10 December 1982.

See also the attached tables on the next pages.

The legal base for the protection of the sea is provided by the Sea Fisheries Law (with the possibility for fishing quotas) and the MARPOL Convention. Suriname has signed the UNCLOS and participates in the Caribbean Environment Program, although the Republic is not a Party to the Cartagena Convention or its Protocols. Control of the ocean is poorly executed.

In the coastal areas, there are four nature reserves and one Multiples Management Area (MUMA). The policy is to cover the whole estuarine zone by MUMAs and to formulate and implement management plans for these MUMAs. The latter is now being done for each part of this zone according to an order of priority which is related to the possible impact by agriculture (rice cultivation), crude oil exploitation, and aquaculture projects.

Although Suriname has not yet ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, it has initiated - with the assistance of the Dutch Government - a project on sea-level rise.

The annual rain fall is on average 2,200 mm, and the evaporation rate is about 30% (750 mm).

Furthermore, the Surinamese Government and the Parliament are studying a proposal for the privatization of waste management in order to simplify and ensure the processing of waste.

Preparations for the Maritime Authority are very advanced. The necessary facilities, and other technical provisions resulting from the MARPOL Convention, are to be provided by this authority.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

The importance of the Basel Convention for the states in the Caribbean region is increasing due to the fact that the region is one of the most frequently chosen routes for the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes. Relevant institutions in Suriname are engaged in the exchange of views on the Basel Convention which should ultimately lead to the ratification of the Convention.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The revenues generated by Suriname are very low, at the moment, and for the greater part, still generated by bauxite operations. Agricultural and other production-oriented activities are at a very low level. This, together with the so far heavily import-oriented economy, has limited Suriname's capacity to finance its economic, social, human and environmental development. Therefore, donor-oriented assistance is very much appreciated at the moment when Suriname is on the verge of embarking on its own Sustainable Human Development Model. In addition, development of legislation and efficient law enforcement mechanisms together with participatory democracy and a good and dynamic governance are necessary.

The Government of Suriname has availed itself of the support of several donors to achieve these goals. The Government is also pursuing the policy of extending and diversifying the number of donors and of providing the country with the best possible technologies available. Although financing for sustainable development is mainly provided by donors, Suriname tries to finance as much as possible through the efforts of its own population.

Donor coordination is necessary for the most efficient use of financial assistance. Funnelling financing through a proper development planning based on the Surinamese Sustainable Human Development processes is the main task of the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation. An appropriate and stable political environment is necessary for an efficient and effective fulfillment of this task. Only in such circumstances, a suitable sustainable resources management and resource use can be achieved.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: No information.

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: No information.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No information.

Already within the bauxite industry, environmentally sound adaptations have been deployed, although without governmental control mechanisms.

Suriname will soon embark on its own National Environmental Action Plan in which recommendations for the introduction of environmentally sound technologies will be given for all relevant sectors. In addition, recommendations will be given on the organizational framework needed in order to coordinate all the activities and on the financial, technological and human resources implications. For example, a number of legal entities (now called Institutes) will be developed as soon as possible for the implementation of environmentally sound technologies, the acquisition of these technologies, the enforcement of laws etc.

With regard to the development of gold mining, detailed technological approaches are being scrutinized at the moment.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: In the first instance, financing will be provided by donors. Later on, as much as possible, financing will be provided by activities within the sectors in question.

The Surinamese Sustainable Human Development Model (SSHDM) places the Surinamese people in the center. Investing in our own population and participatory democracy as well as in dynamic and active private and public sectors are important aspects of this approach. However, these goals can only be achieved when educational capabilities of the population as a whole are continuosly being raised to an even higher level, especially development-oriented educational capabilities which consider technology the key to development. Educational and environmental development is expensive. Therefore, the optimization of economic, social, human and environmental development is important.

The still untouched vast natural resource base of Suriname constitutes a very high potential for financing the components of the SSHDM. However, the use of natural resources has to be done in accordance with the sustainable resource management and resource use systems, which call for proper policies and research.

A comprehensive educational framework is being prepared. The Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation and the University of Suriname together with the Ministry of Education and Human Development are the key bodies responsible for decision-making,

With regard to capacity-building and technological development in this field, Suriname has established contacts with different universities in Europe, USA and the Caribbean Region. Within the more comprehensive educational framework currently under preparation, a more effective and efficient capacity-building and tecnology transfer can be effectuated. Suriname is also a member of the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology.

Financing for these issues comes mainly from donors.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY: See above.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development: No information.

b) Increasing public awareness: No information.

c) Promoting training: No information.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS: No information.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES: No information.

The Council for the Environment to be established and the Environment Management Agency as well as relevant legislation will provide mechanisms and tools for capacity-building. In addition, international cooperation will be a very important part of the Surinamese Sustainable Human Development Model and the sustainable resources management and resource use systems to be developed within the human and social development framework.

(See also Chapters 8, 33, 34 and 35.)