Coronie, October 8 – Past Wednesday, the Protection, Restoration and Sustainable Use of Mangrove Forest (PRSUMF) project awas presented to DC Tarnardi and to stakeholders of the district of Coronie. This field mission follows a courtesy visit conducted by the delegation of the UNDP Suriname Country Office, on September 26, and forms part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to promote mangrove conservation and its sustainable use.  

The PRSUMF project is implemented by the UNDP, in collaboration with the Government of Suriname, and is funded by the European Union. This project builds on previous successes that the UNDP has had, as the EU’s implementing partner, for mangrove-related initiatives in Suriname. 

During the session, the PMU of the PRSUMF project emphasized the critical importance of mangrove forests to the livelihoods of Coronie’s residents. The participants were made aware of the GONINI website, a platform providing interactive mangrove monitoring maps for the entire coastline highlighting biomass, forest cover, stand age, degraded areas and erosion patterns, which was developed by the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Controle (“Stichting Bosbeheer en Bosbeleid” - SBB). Originally developed under previous EU- funded and UNDP-implemented projects, the GONINI mangrove database serves as a vital resource for environmental monitoring and community engagement.

The stakeholders, among these, fishers, beekeepers, small-scale farmers, and Forest Service-Nature Conservation Division in Coronie, expressed their concerns about ongoing loss of mangrove ecosystems in certain regions in the Coronie district. The participants were encouraged to use the GONINI platform, which is freely accessible and promotes transparency in tracking mangrove development and restoration efforts, as well as other data.

The meeting also provided space for stakeholders to raise additional challenges, notably the issue of water scarcity. This concern is of particular interest given that Coronie is home to Suriname’s largest freshwater swamp, which is interlinked with the sustainability of mangrove along the coast of Coronie. In addition, this ecological asset presents significant potential for nature-based tourism and agricultural development. 

Participants stressed the importance of continuous consultation and coordinated action to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that resources are used effectively. They called for joint strategies that align environmental and agricultural goals, ensuring that initiatives are not redundant and that their impact is maximized. All of which supports the PRSUMF strategic objective on strengthening legal and strategic frameworks for integrated coastal zone management, water management, coastal defense and governance.

In his closing remarks, the District Commissioner of Coronie, Mr. Remie Tarnadi, encouraged stakeholders to actively engage with the opportunities presented by the PRSUMF. He emphasized the importance of capacity building, particularly in proposal writing, to empower local stakeholders in Coronie to independently submit project proposals for small grants available through the UNDP Country Office in Suriname.

This field mission marks another step forward in the PRSUMF project's commitment to inclusive, science-based conservation. By fostering dialogue and equipping local stakeholders with tools like the GONINI platform, the initiative aims to build resilient coastal communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of Suriname’s mangrove ecosystems, including agriculture. Continued collaboration between government, civil society, and international partners remains essential to protecting these vital natural resources and the livelihoods they support.