Coastal Zone Management Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Management Case study Suriname Farzia Hausil Legal Advisor NIMOS October 20, 2011

Content National circumstances/ Suriname’s Coastal Zone Efforts Government (ICZM Plan, ICZM Law, CC adaptation) Challenge Coastal Zone Future directions

National circumstances Land area 163,194 square kilometers Capital Paramaribo Population Approx. 497,000 Languages Dutch, Surinamese, English Literacy 90% GDP USD 2.81 billion (source: IMF, 2008 est.) GDP Annual Growth Rate 5.5% (2007 actual) Main export products Bauxite, Gold, Iron, Timber, rice, bananas, Fish, Shrimp

Suriname’s Coastal zone coastline is about 386 km long dominated by sand and mud flats and mud banks Low lying coastal zone Most Fertile land High concentration population and economic activities Country’s backbone

Efforts Government ICZM: Pilot Plan for Paramaribo/Wanica Region ICZM Law Climate Change: Strategy and Action Plan Establishment protected areas (4 MUMA’s, 1 nature park, 11 nature reserves)

Draft CZ Management Law Establishment of CZ Management Authority Research and monitoring (CZM information Centre) Policy and planning Conservation of coast and ecosystems: Designate Restricted Areas (control of coastal erosion) Establish setback lines (construction) Prepare contingency plans for Natural Disaster Mitigation and emergency response and environmental accidents Rehabilitate degraded coastal areas

Challenge: Coastal Zone Spatial planning

Future directions Further develop, effectuate and enforce legislation, policies and plans Legislation and plans have been developed (ICZM, ICZM law, NAP, Biodiversity etc). Investigate and dispel obstacles Management of land use and urban development Stop urban development in north Paramaribo/Wanica Stop permitting changes of land use in non-urbanized areas Establish set-back line (coastal buffer zone)

Future directions Coastal and flood protection and the crucial role of mangroves: Rehabilitate the mangrove zone at the Paramaribo/Wanica coast Establish a special protection forest and special management area in Paramaribo North Prepare directives for sustainable use within this special management area.

Future directions Water management: Raise national awareness To reduce/prevent regular flooding urban areas Regular Maintenance drainage canals Expending drainage system Improve efficiency production, transport and use potable water. Raise national awareness Improve awareness/education on flood risk Joint national responsibilities & attitude.

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