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Report 6 (of 6): Turtle Power
- Honduras
Introduction
The Mosquitia area of eastern Honduras is part of
the Greater Mosquitia Ecosystem, one of the last great
wilderness regions in Central America. Boasting rich
natural and cultural heritages, it is recognised as
a world-class conservation area, with rainforest,
pine forest and an important coastal-marine area.
These are home to wetlands, lagoons, mangroves and
the world's second largest coral reef. The Rio Platano
Biosphere Reserve, within the Mosquitia area, has
the largest relatively intact area of rainforest remaining
north of the Amazon. In 1982 the United Nations Educational
and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the
reserve as a world heritage site because of its rich
natural and cultural diversity.
The Mosquitia region is home to four indigenous groups
- the Miskito, Tawahka, Pesch and Garifuna - who have
maintained the forest for centuries. The Miskito Indians
are the dominant group in the region, traditionally
making a living by subsistence agriculture, fishing,
hunting and gathering from the forest and occasional
wage labour. Compared to other areas of Honduras,
these peoples have been able to keep their distinctive
cultural identity because of the region's isolation.
However, their resource base is under pressure from
both national and external interests wanting to exploit
the forest and natural resources of the region.
The main environmental threats include large-scale
cattle ranching, logging operations, and petroleum
and mineral exploration. These could potentially lead
to deforestation, gradual loss of vegetation and wildlife,
air and water contamination, soil depletion and nutrient
loss. A local non-governmental organisation, MOPAWI
or Mosquitia Pawisa (meaning development of the Mosquitia),
has been working alongside local communities for over
15 years. Nominated for the UNDP's Equator Initiative,
a project designed to reward conservation projects
in the equatorial belt, they have recognised that
change and development in the region is inevitable.
MOPAWI are ensuring that when change does occur it
is culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable.
Sustainability
MOPAWI's work focuses on ecological sustainability
and strengthening of indigenous technical knowledge
and resource management. Their work combines ecological
conservation with the socio-economic needs of the
local population. The majority of MOPAWI's field and
administrative staff are indigenous locals who work
from field offices within La Mosquitia and neighbouring
towns. They understand and are sympathetic to local
customs and traditions, and they are committed to
the conservation of their natural biodiversity.
MOPAWI facilitates the co-development of people and
resources, with the emphasis on local participation.
They also carry out a mixture of participatory development
activities, advocacy and criticism of government policy
to secure land access and resources for the communities
of the region.
For the Miskito families in the Rio Platano region,
ecotourism combined with income generation is just
one of the many integrated development activities
supported by MOPAWI. Other activities include the
cultivation of organic cocoa by peasant farmers in
the Rio Patuca region and community forest management
in the Rio Mocoron region.
Ecotourism and Income Generation
Ecotourism offers the subsistence
farmers an alternative source of income, while ensuring
conservation of the natural biodiversity. More than
100 indigenous Miskito and Pech in communities neighbouring
the Rio Plantano Biosphere Reserve have received training
in ecotourism by MOPAWI. This includes training in
guide services, food transportation and housing for
tourists. An ecotourism management strategy is being
prepared for this World Heritage Site.
Sustainable Agriculture and Community
Forest Development
MOPAWI promotes the importance of appropriate management
of forest resources throughout the region. In the
Mocoron zone, MOPAWI has supported and trained communities
in the use of 68,000 hectares of land allocated to
them for 40 years by the Government. A management
plan for 3500 hectares of pine forest and 14,500 hectares
of broadleaved forest has also been prepared.
The traditional economy of La Mosquitia was based
on shifting cultivation supplemented by hunting, gathering,
fishing and trading. It drew on the resources of the
forest without destroying it and was dependent on
communal access to land. The beginning of a market
economy and the loss of communal management traditions
began to increase social inequality. While this trend
cannot be reversed, key areas of communal resource
management can be safeguarded.
MOPAWI has worked to improve people's livelihoods
by identifying models of resource use, involving local
communities in decision making and management. Setting
up small businesses and experimenting with agriculture
and agro-forestry are two examples. This was initially
difficult as the region is isolated and people lacked
the necessary skills and experience. MOPAWI persevered
and the programme has now expanded to include food
security and improved health and nutrition through
the cultivation of vegetables.
The sustainable agriculture and agro-forestry programme
covers 48 communities and involves 700 families and
20 primary schools. Farmers are encouraged to diversify
and consider alternatives to the traditional hunter-gathering
activities. Technical assistance focuses on agro-industrial
crops, plantains and bananas, basic grains and family
garden plots. The cultivation of organic cocoa constitutes
the only source of income for 600 families.
Other Projects
MOPAWI supports a wide range of additional projects
in the region.
Marine turtle conservation
MOPAWI supports more than 100 inhabitants
of Plaplaya in a protection programme for marine turtles.
They patrol 12 km of beach and protect nests, monitoring
them until the baby turtles are born. To date, 5967
baby turtles have been born and set free in the ocean.
Butterfly farm
The only butterfly farm in Honduras
has raised butterflies for exportation. Zoos and museums
in the USA buy the pupas that then convert into butterflies
within exhibition houses. Based in the community of
Raista, this is one of the main ecotourist attractions
in the Rio Plantano Biosphere Reserve.
Environmental education
MOPAWI focuses its environmental education
activities on the protection of three reserves: the
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, the Tawahka-Asangni
Biosphere Reserve and the Patuca National Park. They
design and distribute reference posters, stickers
and children's colouring books and provide training
for teachers and children in natural resource protection.
Diver training
MOPAWI supports the training of divers
involved in the lobster export trade. Divers have
been taught safe diving techniques through courses
run by trained Miskito instructors. This educational
process has contributed towards the reduction of common
health problems such as decompression syndrome and
paralysis.
Intercultural bilingual education
MOPAWI promotes an intercultural bilingual
education curriculum and through this the Bilingual
Education Committee of the Honduran Mosquitia (CEBIMH)
has been established. Currently 150 teachers and 3000
pupils are benefiting from new Miskito-Spanish teaching
and learning materials which are increasing students'
skills in reading, writing and oral communication. The
Honduran Ministry of Education has officially approved
this curriculum.
Green Iguana Protection
MOPAWI supports two local initiatives
for the protection and management of green iguanas
by attempting to increase local awareness and undertake
research. In Sico Paulaya a group has been involved
in teaching local children and adults about the iguanas.
Credit and micro-enterprise
Through eight village banks, this
programme has provided loans to 110 women who have
established their own small businesses, generating
employment, income and family savings. Their micro-enterprise
initiatives include butchers' shops, libraries and
the sale of clothing and mosquito nets.
Preventive healthcare
The Preventive Health Care Programme
promotes education in sanitation and distributes Spanish
and Miskito educational materials covering basic hygiene
and the prevention of epidemics. It also includes
the rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure
including the provision of water systems, water tanks
for health centres and water pumps for family use.
A wood stove and chimney improvement project has recently
been initiated to reduce respiratory diseases and
the use of firewood.
Biodiversity and Poverty Reduction
Sustainable cultivation and management
of the forest has the potential to reduce poverty,
while at the same time preserving the natural environment
and ecosystems. It also provides the indigenous communities
with alternative means of making a living.
There is some evidence that sustainable
production capacity has increased within the communities.
In particular, the production of organic cocoa, improved
forest management practices and the development of
ecotourism have brought benefits to over 1000 families
in the region. As a result, more children have been
enrolled in schools and some have gone to university.
Development of micro-enterprise skills has wide-ranging
benefits. The establishment of micro-businesses in
conjunction with the ecotourism has significantly
reduced pressure on natural resources and created
a positive attitude towards conservation of biodiversity
within the community. Strengthening the social organisational
structure and empowering the people is improving participation
of the community in the struggle for land and resources
rights.
Combining forest conservation with
income generation has brought various benefits to
the communities and to the Mosquitia region. The giant
loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles and the green
iguana, all in danger of extinction, are protected
by the activities of the ecotourism programme. The
programme teaches awareness and respect for the natural
breeding grounds and habitats. The butterfly farm
within the Miskito community is encouraging conservation
of the tropical rainforest as a source of non-timber
forest products that can bring many benefits to the
people. The ecotourism micro-enterprises have demonstrated
that protecting biodiversity is far more beneficial
than hunting and cutting the trees for timber.
Lessons Learned
Involving local people from the beginning
is key to success. They describe their needs and participate
in the search for a solution. MOPAWI has been a catalyst
for change, listening to and learning from the indigenous
people. Staff understand the values and traditions
of the Miskito way of life, recognising the need for
change if they are to survive.
Given the confidence to stand up for
their own rights, the women members of Miskito, Garifuna
and Mestizo groups have formed action and advocacy
groups to campaign for the protection of the forests.
Armed with their new skills and knowledge they are
able to make decisions and influence others on issues
that affect their own lives.
Working to change government policy
for the region through lobbying and advocacy, together
with community involvement, has proven to improve
livelihoods without harming the environment.
For further information, please contact:
Osvaldo Munguia, Executive
Director
MOPAWI
Residencial Tres Caminos
1½ cuadra al Oeste del Instituto Maria Auxiliadora
Apartado Postal 2175
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C
Honduras
Tel: +504 235 8659
Fax: +504 239 9234
E-mail: oemunguia22@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.mopawi.org.hn/
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The Nature Conservancy
Honduras & Nicaragua Office
Edificio Europa, Colonia San Carlos
Entre la Avenida Ramón E. Cruz y la calle República
de Mexico
Numero 2941, 3er Piso
Tegucigalpa
Honduras
Tel: +504 238 7016
Website: http://www.nature.org/
The Nature Conservancy works with communities
around the world to preserve plants, animals
and natural communities that represent diverse
ecological regions. They have been working
with MOPAWI to promote conservation in the
Rio Plantano Biosphere Reserve.
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Websites
http://www.equatorinitiative.org/
The Equator Initiative is designed to reduce poverty
through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
in the equatorial belt by fostering, supporting and
strengthening community partnerships.
www.jpsviewfinder.com/travel/country/
honduras/favorite.htm
Provides information on ecotourism in Honduras, including
information on lodgings, ecotours and the indigenous
peoples who live there.
www.nativeplanet.org/ngo/ngo1.htm
Native Planet is a non-profit organisation providing
information on indigenous peoples around the world.
This link takes you to a list of non-profit organisations
or NGOs who support the cause of indigenous peoples.
Further reading
Books with underlined titles can be
downloaded for free by clicking on them. Others can
be ordered from the relevant address.
Community-based Forestry Management
IUCN - World Conservation Union Books
Participatory techniques for community
forestry: A field manual
W.J. Jackson and A.W. Ingles
US$18, IUCN, 1998, ISBN: 2-8317-0384-0
Provides a wealth of practical tools and methods for
field workers who work with local communities in developing
collaborative management of forests. While the manual
focuses on participatory techniques for community
forests in Nepal, many of the techniques can be readily
applied to other forms of collaborative natural resource
management
Collaborative management of forests
for conservation and development
J. Fisher
US$12, WWF, 1995, ISBN: 2-8317-0277-1
Explores various approaches to forest management,
including community forestry and joint forest management
as well as those concerned with protected areas. Covers
key issues of theory and implementation and methodologies
for implementation
Food and Agricultural Organisation
(FAO) Books
Participatory Approaches to Planning
for Community Forestry
FAO and Theo M.P. Oltheten
US$32, FAO, 1995
The community toolbox. The idea,
methods and tools for participatory assessment, monitoring
and evaluation in community forestry
D. Davis Case, T. Grove, C. Apted
US$19, FAO, 2001, ISBN: 9252044159
This title can be bought from the FAO or EarthPrint
Field
guide for project design and implementation on the
women in community forestry
(www.fao.org/docrep/T8820E/T8820E00.htm)
US$8, FAO
Ecotourism
United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) Books
Ecotourism:
Principles, Practices & Policies for Sustainability
(www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/ecotourism.htm)
US$15, UNEP, 2002, ISBN: 9280720643
This book can be bought from UNEP or EarthPrint
Sustainable Tourism in Protected
Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management
US$26.25, A UNEP/IUCN/WTO publication, 2002, ISBN
2-8317-0648-3
ITDG Publishing Books
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Martha Honey
£18.95, Island Press, 1999, ISBN: 1559635827 Ecotourism:
An Introduction
David A. Fennel
£18.99, Routledge, 1999, ISBN: 0415201683
This document is an output from a
project funded by the UK Department for International
Development (DFID) and the European Commission (EC)
for the benefit of developing countries. The views
expressed are not necessarily those of DFID or the
EC.
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