- Lack of an indigenous community zone. The reserve overlaps with the territories of the Warao, Arawak, Kariña, Pemon, and Akawaio indigenous communities, many of whom were living there before the reserve was created. The decree only mentions indigenous peoples in an article establishing a “Preservation of Human Settlements Program,” which will apparently aim to maintain the cultural identity of indigenous groups, without any recognition of claims to the land on which they live.
- Lack of secure land tenure has created problems in other parts of the world for local communities faced with mining developments. In Suriname, the Maroons living near the Gross Rosebel gold mining site risk being forced to relocate because of the impacts the mine will have on their territories. The Maroons have complained of intimidation by officials from the Canadian-based mining company. [135] In Australia, however, indigenous communities with secure land tenure have been able to negotiate agreements with mining companies operating near Kakadu National Park. [136]
- Lack of consideration for the environmental impact of migration to the region. The decree does not contemplate the indirect effects of permitting mining in the reserve, such as an increase in migration and construction of settlements. Not only is migration likely, it is implicitly encouraged, because the government has promoted the new emphasis on mining as an employment-generating opportunity. [137] The government’s difficulty in controlling access to the reserve has already been cited as a primary issue regarding its management. [138] Increased settlements imply additional environmental damage, including a decrease in the number of species caused by hunting and deforestation. [139]
- Lack of a monitoring program for timber extraction or mining. There is no provision for monitoring the impact of extractive activities undertaken within the reserve. Ideally, this should be a part of the research program outlined in the decree, but this focusses primarily on inventory and exploration oriented toward maximizing the extraction of timber and gold.
The Venezuelan Supreme Court is deciding a lawsuit brought by environmentalists over the zoning plan. Another lawsuit on behalf of local indigenous communities is also pending. The Imataca case speaks to the need for a comprehensive conservation and zoning plan for the Guayana region integrated across all government sectors before large-scale extractive activities begin to take place. Such a plan would encourage sustainable forms of development while still maintaining healthy forest ecosystems and watersheds.
References and notes
135. M. Colchester, Forest Politics in Suriname (International Books: Utrecht, 1995), pp.48-50; Organization of American States, “Natural Resources, Foreign Concessions and Land Rights: A report on the village of Nieuw Koffiekamp,” (Special Mission to Suriname, Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, General Secretariat, Washington, DC, 1997).
136. M.A. Hill and A.J. Press, “Kakadu National Park: An Australian Experience in Co-management” in D.Western and R.M. Wright (eds.), Natural Connections: Perspectives in Community-based Conservation (Island Press: Washington, DC, 1994).
137. Saul Hudson, “Monarch Group: Going Beneath the Surface,” Daily Journal (Sept. 30, 1994).
138. W. Franco et al., “La situaci¢n actual de la reserva forestal Imataca y propuestas para orientar su ordenamiento,” (Ministry of Energy and Mines: Caracas, 1997).
139. J. Ochoa G., “Dise¤o de un sistema de corredores de vida silvestre en bosques productores de maderas de la Guayana venezolana,” in A. Vega (ed.), Conservation Corridors in the Central American Region (Gainesville, FL: Tropical Research and Development, Inc., 1993).
- Lack of consideration for the environmental impact of migration to the region. The decree does not contemplate the indirect effects of permitting mining in the reserve, such as an increase in migration and construction of settlements. Not only is migration likely, it is implicitly encouraged, because the government has promoted the new emphasis on mining as an employment-generating opportunity. [137] The government’s difficulty in controlling access to the reserve has already been cited as a primary issue regarding its management. [138] Increased settlements imply additional environmental damage, including a decrease in the number of species caused by hunting and deforestation. [139]
- Lack of secure land tenure has created problems in other parts of the world for local communities faced with mining developments. In Suriname, the Maroons living near the Gross Rosebel gold mining site risk being forced to relocate because of the impacts the mine will have on their territories. The Maroons have complained of intimidation by officials from the Canadian-based mining company. [135] In Australia, however, indigenous communities with secure land tenure have been able to negotiate agreements with mining companies operating near Kakadu National Park. [136]
