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In July 2004 a research project of CELOS and the Faculty of
Technology was funded by
the Suriname Conservation Foundation (SCF).
Objective
The project aims at collecting data on the existing economic
activities undertaken in the
area, and trying to design models to determine the economic
value. In addition, the biodiversity (vegetation and
commercial fish) is studied in relation to the
existing hydrology, water quality and the land use.
Essentially, the Bigi Pan Wetland comprises of complex
interrelationships. Intraspecific and interspecific
interactions occurring between faunal species and their
relationships with their environment characterize this
wetland. At present the two most economically valuable
faunal groups are Fish and Birds. The related food webs, the
seasonal hot and wet seasons, the hydrological aspects of
the area, the vegetative cover and anthropogenic effects all
impact on the carrying capacity of the Bigi Pan for the
economically viable industries of fishing and tourism. The
inherent interrelatedness of this wetland can be visualized
as in the figure below:
 Fig.1: Interactions within the Bigi Pan Wetland contributing
to its carrying capacity foreconomically valuable species
Overall, the total economic value of the faunal diversity at
the Bigi Pan will be derived not only from the estimation of
the potential benefits from the fishing and tourism sectors
but from the benefits arising from the presence of a vast
number of faunal species which inhabit the wetland.
Thisfeature is the underlying basis for the sampling and
methodological approach taken.
Preliminary results
General»
During this study it was seen that lack of basic
information
regarding statistics, is a main
obstacle for calculations. The sectors tourism and fisheries
are not structured, and therefore in this report only
estimates are used. However, in the next report more
detailed data will be available to adjust the preliminary
value of the Bigi Pan MUMA. Data on seawalls and fuel wood
are a few examples of what should be considered in further
completing the calculation. As for a total biodiversity
valuation, an additional project will be initiated to
integrate ecologists, and biologists. In the next phase
vegetation will have their section completed. However, the
fauna group will have to extend their measurements for an
additional 12 months, to have a total of 18 months sampling,
in order to be able to say something about trends.
Hydrology
This huge area along the coast is sometimes quite
inaccessible; causing water only to penetrate for 100 m. Due
to higher located shell ridges which are stretching from
east to west water inflow is limited. However, local
cracks in the natural sea wall permit water at the Coronie
side. Tidal influences have not been observed in the pans,
water levels are the results of rainfall and
evapotranspiration. It is this transpiration that causes the
high percentage of silt and fish and mangrove mortality. As
for the monitoring of water quality and hydrology, due to
insufficient communication with the respective agency,
purchasing historic data on water quality was not possible.
Land use
 Rice fields, both in use or abandoned cover an area of
approximately 3,250ha, whereas
fishing is possible in 8,125 ha, both periodically and
throughout the year. Hunters have
at least 6,500 ha of trials leading to hunting grounds.
Since tourists mostly stay in Bigi
Pan and the closest pans like Kalebon and Bon Flat, we can
surely say that economic
activities are undertaken in less than 1% of the study area.
Sand mining is a major threat for the fish population,
because of the breeding side of Trapoen in the northern part
of this
mining activity. In addition, due to poor management
the threats of poaching, over fishing,
contamination from the rice sector.
Tourism sector
The past three years a project named Integrated Tourism
Development Program (ITDP) has been carried out. It has
shown that this industry has the potential to further grow;
in the last three years an increase of 40 % occurred (De
Ware Tijd, 2005) in Suriname. As such guidelines for
buildings in the interior of Suriname have been drafted, a
draft tourism law was delivered, as well as the process of a
national strategy or policy for tourism development is
initiated. Taking this development into consideration it is
important to try to link up the touroperators of Bigi Pan to
the existing network of guides for gaining skills. Currently
there are about 4000 immediate jobs created in the sector.
There is need for regulations in this sector looking at the
different guides economic actively involved in this
industry, without having followed an adequate training.
 When looking at the comments of visitors, it was seen that
accommodation needs
upgrading, as well as landings, and the condition of boats.
Tour operators and or guides
should work towards a fee being paid to the government for
exploiting this MUMA. In
addition, they can request some assistance from the
government. It is also seen that tour operators should
cooperate with each other in order to professionalize
the service, and expand their business. Regarding to this
issue, partnerships are crucial since Bigi Pan as one
product for which tourists have to travel from Paramaribo,
can be disappointing, due to the fewer number of birds seen
in the MUMA. It is believed that with one or two additional
sites as mentioned in the previous paragraph, visitors will
be guaranteed on a satisfactory trip. Perhaps with joint
operating the quality of their product can easily be
upgraded by training given by the partners. This will also
bring variety in the trip, such as a canoe, substituted by a
luxury boat with cabins. The general awareness from locals
about the Bigi Pan is poor; this was seen during the FAO
exhibition in October 2004 in Nickerie. There is need for
audio- visual material of this MUMA, not only for schools,
but also on the national television and especially for
tourists. According to Ouboter
and Adhin (2002) the existing material should be widely
distributed, and new material should be developed and
presented to the stakeholders and the general public.
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