Carib Scope

分类： environment

  • IHO Nature Rangers And Partners Remove 462 Pounds of Waste From Spencer’s Bay Wetlands

    IHO Nature Rangers And Partners Remove 462 Pounds of Waste From Spencer’s Bay Wetlands

    On September 19, 2026, more than 25 youth and local community volunteers gathered at Spencer’s Bay Wetlands to honor International Coastal Cleanup Day with a targeted waste removal effort, pulling a total of 462.80 pounds of discarded trash from the ecologically vital wetland and coastal habitats of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Organized and led by the IHO Nature Rangers and Volunteer Litter Prevention Wardens, the event drew widespread participation and collaborative support from a diverse array of local and regional stakeholders, including JCI Antigua, Antigua Cruise Ports, the EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN), the Community Policing Division of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Girl Guides Association, and the Antigua and Barbuda branch of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN).

    Beyond just removing accumulated debris from the region’s shorelines and adjacent land areas, the event was designed to help participating volunteers build firsthand understanding of the range of waste materials that threaten sensitive wetland ecosystems. The haul of collected trash included large discarded items such as four old televisions and full pieces of luggage, alongside smaller common pollutants including glass fragments, single-use plastic bottles, petroleum containers, automotive parts, disposable packaging, and a wide variety of other improperly disposed consumer goods.

    Volunteers implemented a rigorous data collection process, weighing every bag of collected waste individually to ensure an accurate total waste volume calculation. The four large televisions recovered from the wetland were assessed separately, with their estimated weights added to the final total. The wide variety of waste types recovered during the cleanup underscores the ongoing challenge of unregulated trash accumulation in already vulnerable coastal and wetland environments, where discarded materials disrupt native wildlife habitats and degrade water quality over time.

    To ensure responsible handling of the collected waste, event organizers coordinated in advance with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), which arranged for full removal and proper disposal of all debris at the region’s official landfill.

    Following the hands-on cleanup activity, participants joined an interactive educational session led by the EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network. The session connected the day’s on-the-ground conservation work to broader conversations about long-term environmental stewardship, the critical ecological role of wetlands, systemic improvements to regional waste management, and the power of collective community action to drive lasting change.

    As a gesture of gratitude for their time and effort, all participating community members were provided with a complimentary breakfast from Blow Way Bakery, a local food business based in Pigotts.

    Saturday’s event is just one component of the IHO Nature Rangers’ ongoing long-term initiative to expand conservation action and boost youth engagement in protection of the North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA). The organization has already led similar community cleanup efforts in Parham, Seatons, and Glanvilles, with local youth and resident volunteers consistently turning out to address littering and preserve irreplaceable coastal habitats across the region.

    Britney McDonald, Project Manager for the IHO Nature Rangers, emphasized the collective impact of the cross-sector collaboration in a post-event statement. “Saturday’s cleanup proved what we can achieve when young people, community members, local organizations, and institutional partners all come together around a shared responsibility to protect our natural spaces,” McDonald said. “Removing 462.80 pounds of waste from these wetlands and coastal spaces is a meaningful win, but it also makes clear that we have to keep building public awareness, stopping waste at its source, and investing in the local people who are on the ground taking action to protect these critical ecosystems.”

    Looking ahead, the IHO Nature Rangers and its partner network are already planning the next phase of regional conservation work, including upcoming mangrove replanting initiatives, ongoing environmental education programming, continued community outreach, and additional habitat restoration projects. On September 26, 2026, the organization will partner with EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network to support ESFN’s Do it Twice Campaign for McKinnons Wetlands.

    The coalition is actively seeking additional partnership support to expand the scope and reach of these ongoing conservation activities. Organizations, local businesses, and individual community members interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or supporting upcoming cleanups, educational sessions, restoration projects, and other conservation efforts are encouraged to reach out to get involved.

    The Spencer’s Bay cleanup is part of the larger “Strengthening Conservation Actions in the North East Management Area, Antigua and Barbuda” project, led by the IHO Nature Rangers. The initiative receives funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and the World Bank, with implementation support from the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute, alongside core partners Integrated Health Outreach and EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network.

    For media inquiries or additional information about the project, interested parties can contact Project Manager Britney McDonald at (268) 785-5169.

  • Omwonenden vragen NMA Halliburton-projecten opnieuw te beoordelen

    Omwonenden vragen NMA Halliburton-projecten opnieuw te beoordelen

    A group of stakeholders with interests tied to Suriname’s coastal area has launched a formal legal challenge to two planned Halliburton projects near Paramaribo, calling on the country’s National Environmental Authority (NMA) to revisit and reverse earlier environmental approvals that greenlit the developments. Through legal representation, the group has submitted an official request that pauses all pre-construction work on Halliburton’s proposed new operational base at Sir Winston Churchillweg 426, as well as halts ongoing permitting for an on-site radioactive materials storage facility linked to the energy firm’s regional operations. The challenge targets two separate environmental assessment dossiers: MEA 0049/2025, which covers the operational base, and MEA 0054/2025, the regulatory file for the radioactive storage facility. Stakeholders say they have raised fundamental concerns about how the projects were screened, classified, and evaluated for potential harms to local ecosystems and communities, arguing that earlier assessments failed to account for key risks. At the core of the dispute is the classification of the radioactive storage facility. The NMA previously categorized the project as an activity with low environmental impact but high site sensitivity, a designation that allowed the project to move forward with only a limited environmental review in the form of a standard Environment Management and Monitoring Plan (MMMP), rather than a full, comprehensive environmental impact assessment. Stakeholders argue this classification is incorrect and inconsistent with the risks of storing radioactive materials in a populated area near critical environmental resources, and are pushing the NMA to re-evaluate the designation in light of new evidence and research they have presented. The group is asking the NMA to investigate whether the original classification remains justified, and whether the decision to accept a limited MMMP review instead of a full assessment should be withdrawn or revised. Pending the outcome of this reassessment, stakeholders are calling for all further permitting work on the storage facility dossier to be suspended immediately. In their formal request, they also emphasize that any new environmental review must go beyond traditional ecological harm assessments, and include full analysis of the projects’ potential social and economic impacts on nearby communities and local industries. The NMA has been given a deadline of October 1, 2026, to issue a substantive response to the stakeholders’ claims and requests. It is important to note that the submission of the formal challenge does not automatically invalidate earlier environmental approvals or halt work on the projects at this stage. The NMA will first review the request to determine whether there is sufficient merit to reopen the assessment processes, revise earlier decisions, or implement the requested temporary suspensions. Halliburton, a major global energy services firm, has been expanding its operational footprint in Suriname amid growing offshore oil and gas exploration activity in the country’s waters, making the planned base and storage facility a key part of its regional strategy. The challenge comes amid growing public debate in Suriname over environmental regulation of the energy sector, and whether existing rules provide sufficient protection for local communities and fragile ecosystems. The outcome of the NMA’s review is expected to set a precedent for future large-scale energy infrastructure projects in the country.

  • Whale Protection Coalition Urges Antigua and Barbuda to Stop Scapegoating Whales

    Whale Protection Coalition Urges Antigua and Barbuda to Stop Scapegoating Whales

    A prominent international coalition dedicated to marine mammal conservation has issued a formal public appeal to the government of Antigua and Barbuda, calling on the Caribbean nation to halt what the group describes as unfair scapegoating of whale populations for ongoing challenges facing the local commercial fishing sector.

    The coalition, which brings together dozens of marine ecologists, conservation organizations and indigenous ocean advocacy groups from around the globe, argues that current claims linking declining fish catches to whale feeding activity are not backed by peer-reviewed scientific data. Instead, the coalition points to overfishing, climate change-driven ocean warming, and habitat degradation as the primary drivers of reduced fish stocks in regional waters.

    Conservation leaders warn that targeting whales not only undermines decades of progress in protecting endangered and vulnerable baleen whale populations that migrate through the Caribbean each year, but also distracts policymakers from implementing evidence-based reforms needed to restore the long-term sustainability of local fisheries. The group has offered to partner with the Antigua and Barbuda government to conduct independent, transparent research on marine ecosystem dynamics, as well as to support sustainable fishing initiatives that balance livelihood needs with marine biodiversity protection.

    As of the coalition’s latest statement, the Antigua and Barbuda government has not yet issued a formal response to the appeal.

  • Could three Saint Lucian communities become UNESCO Biosphere Reserves?

    Could three Saint Lucian communities become UNESCO Biosphere Reserves?

    A new community-led conservation and development initiative is pushing forward plans to designate three communities in Saint Lucia — Babonneau, Mabouya Valley, and Monchy — as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves under the global Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. If approved, the designation would equip local stakeholders with targeted resources to balance environmental conservation with inclusive community growth, by strengthening the interconnected relationship between people and their natural surroundings.

    The MAB Programme operates on a voluntary, collaborative framework, centered on launching location-specific projects that advance equitable sustainable development through customized local economic initiatives, uplift resident livelihoods, safeguard unique cultural heritage, and foster cross-community knowledge exchange. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage designation, the biosphere reserve status is not a legally binding designation; it instead empowers local stakeholders to take ownership of their environmental stewardship efforts.

    The exploratory process is being led by the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU), which has already launched a series of public consultation sessions to gather input from local residents and ensure the initiative aligns with community needs. The first round of consultations was recently completed in Babonneau, with sessions scheduled to begin shortly in Mabouya Valley, and planned for Monchy in the coming weeks.

    Speaking on a government podcast last month, SLNCU Secretary-General Marcia Symphorien outlined the core mission of the programme, noting that its central goal is advancing harmonious coexistence between humans and natural ecosystems. “The programme advocates for the harmonious coexistence of man and nature; how we as human beings can protect our environment so that our environment can also provide for us,” Symphorien explained. She added that the designation would also help the island nation address pressing climate change-related challenges, including growing water scarcity, while supporting progress on both global sustainable development goals and local community development targets.

    Local stakeholders in Babonneau have already expressed strong support for the initiative. Aldric Edward, a Babonneau resident and owner of local tour operator Exotic and Leisure Adventures, highlighted the unique ecological and cultural value of the region that makes it an ideal candidate for the status. “I believe this is very welcoming for Babonneau considering the vastness and richness in biodiversity within the area,” Edward told local outlet St. Lucia Times. “Babonneau is extremely rich in culture and heritage, including wide varieties of endemic species of plants and animals. The area also has non-timber items of great economic value and can contribute to sustainable livelihoods.”

    Beyond conservation, Edward noted that the programme would create meaningful new opportunities for the community, including expanded education on sustainable agricultural practices and the creation of new local employment opportunities. “We are all pleased with this initiative and fully endorse this MAB project,” he added.

    Currently, the MAB Programme counts 797 established biosphere reserves across 145 countries worldwide. In the Caribbean region, existing reserves are already located in Aruba, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guadeloupe. If approved, Saint Lucia’s designation would join this regional network, opening up new opportunities for cross-regional knowledge sharing and collaboration on sustainable development and climate adaptation.

  • Braganza wacht nog op kap- en milieuvergunningen voor landbouwprojecten

    Braganza wacht nog op kap- en milieuvergunningen voor landbouwprojecten

    Three planned large-scale agricultural projects in western Suriname have not yet secured all mandatory government and environmental approvals required for full construction to begin, Braganza Marketing Group director Lionel Blokland has confirmed in written responses to local outlet Starnieuws.

    Blokland outlined three outstanding preconditions that must be satisfied before the full 34,185-hectare initiative can get underway. First, the company is still waiting on formal logging permits to clear land for production. Second, it has not received preliminary approval from the National Environmental Authority (NMA) to launch full activities. Third, it requires government cooperation to ensure that participating Mennonite migrants continue to comply with Suriname’s immigration regulations.

    While preliminary site preparation work including limited deforestation is already underway at the project locations along the Weg naar West-Suriname corridor, Blokland emphasized that all current activities fall within the scope of a pre-negotiated agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV). Under that agreement, the company is permitted to construct work camps, mark project boundaries and complete other pre-development groundwork, and Braganza maintains it has not conducted any work that requires unapproved permits at this stage.

    The public law agreement between Braganza and LVV requires all site preparation, agricultural infrastructure work and land development to adhere to strict existing regulatory conditions, including binding environmental protection requirements and full compliance with all Surinamese national laws. Environmental scrutiny of the project has been particularly intense due to the large scale of the proposed soy and maize production operations, which are planned for the Tibiti and Kabalebo regions.

    Braganza has previously stated that internal surveys of the project area found no evidence of primary old-growth forest on the site, a claim intended to address concerns about widespread ecological harm from large-scale industrial agriculture. However, final authority to assess the project’s environmental impact rests with the national environmental regulator, not the developer itself.

    Blokland’s recent confirmation makes clear that both logging approval processes and full environmental assessment procedures are still ongoing. As of yet, there is no public timeline for when the required final approvals will be granted, nor is there clarity on what specific binding conditions regulators will attach to the greenlight for full project implementation. Intensive consultations between Braganza, LVV and other national regulatory bodies are currently underway to resolve the outstanding approval issues.

  • What stage is the fire in the Sierra de Bahoruco at?

    What stage is the fire in the Sierra de Bahoruco at?

    In the mountainous forest region of Sierra de Bahoruco, Pedernales, the multi-agency forest firefighting teams that have been working around the clock to contain a large wildfire in the Pelempito-Aceitillar corridor have reached a critical operational milestone: as of this Saturday, all active containment work has concluded, and crews have shifted into the mop-up and surveillance phase of the response.

    This milestone comes after teams completed planned containment lines and controlled backfires Friday night, operations that were briefly adjusted by unexpected overnight weather. Gerónimo Abreu, head of the Dominican Republic’s National Fire Management Program, confirmed that light overnight rainfall forced minor shifts to the original operational timeline, but crews did not pause progress. Firefighters persisted in securing and extending containment lines through the overnight hours, wrapping up the final section of line by mid-afternoon Friday before carrying out the last of the planned backfires to starve the main blaze of fuel.

    Early morning damage and containment assessments carried out Saturday confirmed the wildfire is fully contained, with all operational resources now redirected to extinguishing remaining hot spots across the affected area and continuously monitoring containment lines for any signs of spread. As of Saturday’s assessment, the entire westernmost sector of the fire zone is completely extinguished. In the northern zone near Hoyo de Pelempito, however, a small number of lingering hot spots continue to produce smoke. This residual activity is tied to the region’s mixed forest composition, where dense accumulations of organic plant material can continue to smolder for days even after the main fire is contained.

    In the southern sector of the fire zone, response teams maintain round-the-clock surveillance and active cleanup work within the established containment perimeter. Crews are conducting on-the-ground checks to confirm that both human-built containment lines and natural geographic barriers are holding, eliminating any remaining unextinguished fuel within the controlled area.

    For the remainder of this mop-up phase, most deployed personnel will be focused on the northern and southeastern sectors of the fire zone. Crews will continue cleanup work, conduct regular inspections of all containment lines, and treat any hot spots that could potentially reignite under warm, dry conditions. Response teams will remain stationed in the area through the entirety of the mop-up and surveillance phase, only demobilizing once all cleanup tasks are fully completed and all reignition risks are eliminated. This extended presence is designed to consolidate control of the fire and prevent the blaze from flaring back up after containment.

    In a public statement accompanying the operational update, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources renewed its urgent appeal to all residents and visitors to avoid any use of fire in wooded areas. This includes open burning, unextinguished campfires, and any other irresponsible fire activity that could spark new blazes, particularly during periods of dry, warm weather that create ideal conditions for wildfire spread. The ministry emphasized that proactive prevention and responsible public behavior are the most foundational tools for protecting fragile forest ecosystems, and for reducing the life-threatening risks that frontline wildfire response teams face when responding to new ignitions.

  • Rain expected over several provinces; Indomet monitoring a system with an 80% chance of becoming a cyclone.

    Rain expected over several provinces; Indomet monitoring a system with an 80% chance of becoming a cyclone.

    On September 19, 2026, the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) released a comprehensive multi-part weather update for the Dominican Republic, outlining three key atmospheric conditions that will impact populations across multiple provinces in the coming days.

    First, the agency forecast a series of scattered storm systems driven by elevated atmospheric moisture, unstable air currents, and localized geographic weather effects. Through the morning hours, isolated rain showers and thunderstorm activity are projected to move through populated coastal and southern regions including the capital district of Santo Domingo, as well as La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, and San Cristóbal.

    As Saturday progresses into the afternoon, the intensity of precipitation is expected to shift and strengthen across central and northern parts of the country. Localized heavy downpours paired with thunder will impact Monte Plata, Hato Mayor, Sánchez Ramírez, and Monseñor Nouel. In northern zones of San Juan and Azua, plus Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, and their surrounding neighboring areas, the weather service warns of moderate to extreme downpours that will be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and sudden gusty winds. Forecasters note that all storm activity is projected to subside significantly once night falls across the country.

    Beyond the day’s storm forecast, Indomet has issued a public health advisory linked to persistent high temperatures that will cover most of the Dominican Republic. Hot, sticky conditions will hold across the majority of the nation, pushing the heat index— a measure of how hot temperatures actually feel to the human body when combined with humidity— to dangerous levels. To reduce the risk of heat-related illness, the institute has released a set of public safety guidelines: residents and visitors are encouraged to maintain steady hydration by drinking large amounts of water throughout the day, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light shades that reflect sunlight, avoid unprotected exposure to direct sunlight between the peak heating hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and prioritize time spent in cool, well-ventilated spaces. The advisory specifically highlights that children, older adults, and pregnant people face an elevated risk of heat-related complications and should take extra precautions during this period of high heat.

    In addition to short-term domestic weather, Indomet is actively tracking a developing low-pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean that poses a potential tropical cyclone risk. The system, currently consisting of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, is located several hundred kilometers southwest of the Azores archipelago. Forecasters estimate there is an 80% probability that the system will organize and strengthen into a tropical cyclone within both the next 48 hours and the coming seven-day window.

    Indomet has urged all members of the public to monitor updated weather information closely through its official website, www.indomet.gob.do, and its social media accounts @IndometRD to stay informed of any changes to conditions or additional safety guidance.

  • Abinader inaugurates Puerto Plata plant to end open-air landfill

    Abinader inaugurates Puerto Plata plant to end open-air landfill

    On Friday, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader presided over the official inauguration of the Jaime Manuel Camps Power Recycling Plant and Sanitary Landfill, a transformative waste management infrastructure built in Puerto Plata to resolve a decades-long environmental crisis.

    Constructed on the site of the old, unregulated Maggiolo landfill, the project represents a total public-private investment of 1.6 billion Dominican pesos, introducing a modern model that combines resource recovery with controlled waste disposal to replace the open-air dumping practices that have contaminated the province for more than 40 years.

    José Antonio Acebal, lead investor for JMC Power Recycling, outlined the facility’s key technical features during the inauguration ceremony. The first phase of development includes a 27,337-square-meter disposal cell with a total capacity of 1.46 million cubic meters, designed to process between 600 and 800 tons of solid waste daily. To eliminate groundwater and soil contamination, the cell is fitted with a high-density geomembrane waterproofing system, alongside specialized drainage and leachate treatment infrastructure. Additional protective systems include biogas collection and monitoring, daily waste covering protocols, and continuous environmental testing of groundwater, leachate, and air emissions.

    Beyond controlled disposal, the site also hosts a material recovery facility that sorts and recycles reusable waste, cutting the total volume of material that requires permanent landfill storage. According to Acebal, the facility’s ongoing operations will create more than 500 direct jobs, with an equal number of indirect employment opportunities for local residents.

    Speaking at the event, Presidency Minister José Ignacio Paliza emphasized that the project marks a fundamental shift for Puerto Plata’s solid waste management. For decades, uncontrolled open dumping at the old Maggiolo site produced frequent landfill fires and dense smoke that plagued local communities and threatened tourism activity at the nearby Amber Cove cruise terminal, one of the province’s top tourist entry points. Paliza noted that what was once a major environmental liability has been reborn as a purpose-built facility focused on waste valorization, with built-in systems to minimize ecological harm and protect the region’s critical tourism and economic sectors.

    Roquelito García, mayor of San Felipe de Puerto Plata, called the inauguration the end of a 40-year chapter defined by unregulated open-air waste disposal. García praised the new facility’s strict standards for organization, operational efficiency, and environmental protection, crediting the successful delivery of the project to collaborative work between the national government, the municipal city council, and private sector partners.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by multiple senior Dominican officials, including Senate President Ricardo de los Santos, Chamber of Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco, and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Paíno Henríquez. The event concluded with a blessing from Monsignor Julio César Corniel Amaro, Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Plata.

  • Blackman and Gollop pupils in national tree-planting drive

    Blackman and Gollop pupils in national tree-planting drive

    On a sunny Friday in Barbados, young students from Blackman and Gollop Primary School swapped classroom lessons for shovels and soil, teaming up with uniformed soldiers and sailors from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) to plant 65 native shade trees across the school grounds. This collaborative activity is not an isolated community event, but the first step in a sustained national initiative kicking off months ahead of the country’s landmark “60 and Five” celebrations scheduled for November 30, when Barbados will mark two defining milestones: six decades of independence from colonial rule and five years as a sovereign republic. The monthly tree-planting campaign is the product of a formal partnership between the BDF and the National Conservation Commission (NCC), with organizers committed to planting 65 trees each month in the lead-up to the November celebrations.

    Speaking to local outlet Barbados TODAY, Blackman and Gollop Primary School Principal Harriet Blackman shared details of the day’s activity, noting that 36 students spanning Classes 1 to 4 took part in the planting, with every pupil paired one-on-one with a BDF service member.

    “I am incredibly pleased our school was selected to take part in this national Tree Planet initiative tied to the 60 and Five celebrations,” Blackman said. “Having 36 of our students standing here today, putting shovels to ground, is something the entire school community is proud of.”

    Beyond contributing to the national goal, Blackman emphasized that the initiative aligns perfectly with the school’s long-standing environmental education objectives, offering young learners a hands-on opportunity to engage with national civic life while building lifelong conservation habits. “This project lets students be active contributors to something that matters to the entire country. We are fully committed to nurturing these trees as they grow, because this work fits directly into our school’s environmental mandate. Not only will the new trees provide much-needed shade across our campus, but the entire experience will encourage our students to prioritize protecting our natural environment.”

    By assigning students direct responsibility for the care of their planted trees, the school aims to foster a deeper personal connection between young people and the natural world, Blackman explained. “When students have a personal stake in these trees, they carry that memory with them, and they understand firsthand why environmental stewardship matters,” she said.

    The project is also set to deliver a long-term educational benefit to the school: the development of a new shaded outdoor learning and recreation space on campus. “As we cleared and prepped the area this morning, we were already thinking about how we can use this space for years to come. Eventually, we plan to add benches and outdoor tables, so teachers can bring lessons outside and students can use the area for recreation as well,” Blackman added.

    Dewyn Phillips, coordinator of the National Tree Planting Programme under Barbados’ Ministry of Environment, praised the cross-sector collaboration that makes the initiative possible, highlighting that the partnership unites three critical pillars of national life: national security, education, and environmental conservation.

    “If you break down the collaboration, the BDF brings a focus on protecting our national boundaries and interests, the schools represent the future of our country through education, and the NCC leads our work to conserve our natural environment,” Phillips explained. “By leveraging these synergies across sectors, we are able to deliver a meaningful monthly activity that builds momentum all the way up to Independence Day.”

    Looking ahead, Phillips shared that program organizers are working to expand the tree-planting initiative to more schools across Barbados in the coming months, with the goal of engaging as many young people and communities as possible before the November 30 celebrations. The ongoing drive not only marks a historic national milestone but also advances long-term environmental goals that will benefit Barbadian communities for generations to come.

  • Bedrijfsplan Braganza erkent milieuschade grootschalige sojateelt

    Bedrijfsplan Braganza erkent milieuschade grootschalige sojateelt

    A proposed large-scale soy and corn production project led by Braganza Marketing Group in Suriname has sparked intense environmental scrutiny, after the company’s own strategic business document acknowledged the link between expanding global soy cultivation and widespread deforestation and biodiversity loss in other regions. The debate over ecological risks has gained new urgency as the agribusiness firm moves forward with plans to develop thousands of hectares of land and partners with Mennonite farmers to execute the initiative.

    Braganza’s 2022-2031 business plan, finalized in May 2023, opens with an analysis of the global soy market and large-scale agricultural production hubs around the world. In the document, the company explicitly notes that rising international demand for soy – most of which is used for livestock feed – has driven the conversion of large swathes of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest into agricultural land, with devastating impacts on native forest ecosystems and global biodiversity. Despite this acknowledgment, the plan outlines major expansion of mechanized large-scale agriculture in Suriname, starting with thousands of hectares of cultivated land with plans for further incremental expansion.

    In January 2026, Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) entered into a public legal agreement with Braganza, granting the company conditional access to 9,366.72 hectares of state-owned land in the Para district for a 20-year term. The land is designated specifically for large-scale mechanized farming and related supporting activities, and the agreement requires Braganza to bring at least 10 percent of the total area into cultivation each year.

    However, the deal does not give Braganza free rein to clear the entire concession. All development activities must comply with Suriname’s national environmental legislation, binding international commitments, and existing national agricultural policy frameworks. Additional specific permits are required for site preparation, land cultivation, and infrastructure construction.

    Environmental concerns have become the central point of public debate around the project and the involvement of Mennonite farmers recruited by Braganza. LVV Minister Mike Noersalim has publicly stated that all mandatory environmental impact assessments must be completed and all required approvals secured before large-scale development can begin, adding that any clearing of primary forest is strictly prohibited under national regulation.

    Braganza CEO Ruud Souverein told reporters the company has already submitted the scoping phase of its environmental impact report to the National Environmental Authority (NMA) and is currently awaiting regulatory feedback. Souverein claimed that preliminary surveys have found no primary forest within the project concession area, noting that most of the vegetation targeted for development is secondary forest. This claim has not yet been independently verified, leaving key questions unresolved: what is the official classification of vegetation and forest cover across the concession, how much land will ultimately be approved for clearing, and what binding environmental conditions will the NMA impose on the project?

    Mennonite farmers recruited by Braganza have already established a presence in the Tibiti region. During a recent site visit by members of Suriname’s parliament, environmental activist Erlan Sleur, and journalists, observers confirmed that a portion of the concession area has already been cleared. Local reporting indicates that further clearing and development work is currently on hold pending regulatory review.

    Braganza’s business plan itself acknowledges that most available agricultural land in Suriname requires major preparation before it can be brought into commercial cultivation, and it also identifies land rights issues as a key risk for the project. The public agreement between Braganza and the LVV requires the company to prioritize local community members for employment opportunities, support local services, and include local stakeholders in regional development planning. The deal also mandates the establishment of a $100,000 community development fund.

    However, the official agreement document obtained by local outlet Starnieuws leaves critical details about the fund undefined: it does not specify which local community or communities are intended to benefit from the fund, who will manage its assets, or what formal rules will govern the distribution of funds for local projects. This lack of clarity has added to existing concerns from civil society groups that the project will prioritize corporate profit over environmental protection and the rights of local populations, who have lived in and relied on the region’s forest ecosystems for generations.