Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management is strengthening monitoring and enforcement capacity with new Field Office at Burnside, District Coronie

The Nature Conservation Division of the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management is strengthening its monitoring and enforcement capacity with a new Field Office, with the support of the GCCA+ Phase 2 Project. The GCCA+ Phase 2 Project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Suriname, will continue the support to Suriname's conservation efforts.

March 1, 2023

Ceremonial hand over of the field office at Burnside, Coronie. From left to right: District Commissioner of Coronie Mr. M. Winter, Coordinator Nature Conservation Mrs. C. Sakimin, Deputy Director Forest Management, R. Cairo, Head of Cooperation at EU Delegation to Guyana, Surinam and Caribbean, Mr. J. Nadal Sastre and UNDP Programme Specialist Environment Mr. B. Drakenstein

UNDP Suriname GCCA+ Phase 2 Project February 2023

The Noord Coronie MUMA and Bigi Pan MUMA encompass a large land area, including the Hertenrits Nature Reserve which is part of the Bigi Pan MUMA. A wide variety of species live in the mangrove ecosystems and wetlands that comprise these MUMA's, and which directly benefit the livelihoods of local communities in addition to providing natural coastal protection.

Mangrove ecosystems and wetlands are therefore of crucial importance to climate change adaptation efforts of Suriname over the coming decades. Nevertheless, sustainable management of this important area remains a challenge for Suriname.

To improve operational capacity for monitoring of activities such as fishing and hunting through enforcement of the Game Law, Fish Stock Protection Law and Nature Conservation Act , as part of sustainable management of mangrove and coastal ecosystems, a Field Office (check point) at Burnside, District Coronie was set up.

On Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, the ceremonial handover of this field office took place, and the keys were handed over to the Deputy Director Forest Management of the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, Mr. Roelf Cairo.

Fully operational this Field Office will contribute to the accomplishment of the following goals:

Improve the capacity of the Nature Conservation Division to implement MUMA management plans.
Improve the Nature Conservation Division presence in the field.
Improve NCD's capacity to carry out the responsibilities mandated by the Game Law, Fish Stock Protection Law, and Nature Conservation Act.

The installation of this field office will also contribute to SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities as well as SDG 13 on Climate Action and has been established through SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals.