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Feeling the Heat in Honduras

by Olga Sheean-Slone
THERE kt a saying in Honduras that if the devil were to visit Cho fuleca, hell would not seem like such a bad ptace
In the southern states of Choluteca and VaBe. formerly forested areas have been reduced to hot. arid wastelands, by deforestation, over grazing and the over use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. This
hell on earth' has had serious repercussions for the rest of Honduras.
Farmer* looking for a better life have been driven northwards In droves by the exhausted soils. Many of them practise shifting agriculture wherever they can find unoc cupied lands, or work lor lumber corporations
A local point for these mass migrations is the Rio Hatano Biosphere Reserve in the Mosqultta region of northeastern Honduras. The reserve is the country's largest protected area. covering 528. lOOha.
The biosphere reserve was created In 1981, and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO The reserve is man aged by the Government of Honduras, with supporting ecod eve lop me nt programmes tn the reserve run by two local environmental organizations : MOI’AWl (Mosqultta Pbwaaa. or Development of the Mosqultta) and World Neighbours.
The reserve a management, supported by WWF. and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). alms to further protect the rich flora and fauna of the reserve, and to ensure the cultural survival of Its Indigenous groups.
Pesch and Tawahka-Sumu Indians have traditionally lived within the Rio Hatano Biosphere Reserve. The forests have provided them with renewable construction materials. medicines, clothing and food. With large number* of migrants now Invading their homelands, the culture and livelihood* of these group* are increasingly threatened.
With little help from the government, these groups are beginning to realize that their fate I* in their own hand*.
The government is not going to protect the forest. the fauns or the rivers.' says Juan Roman Martinez. Director of the National Agrarian Reform Institute ONA). Tt fa the people who will ultimately have to protect nature."
With this concept in mind, members of MOPAWI. one of the WWF-supported organizations. have secured pro-
visional government approval for Ihe establishment of a Tawahka Sumu Indian Eco logical Reserve An area of aOO.OOOhs has already been granted for the new reserve
This protected area will an extension of the Rio Hatano Biosphere Reserve and will ab ut Ihe Nicaraguan border and link up to a major tropical forest reserve there. Bosawaa It will theoretically close off a major migration route, and create a corridor of prnler ted areas stretching through the Honduran Mosqultla and a significant portion of Nica ragua The HOO Tawahka Sumu Indians living within this area would be responsible for Its protection and maintenance
Although only the southern part of the Rio Hatano reserve ha* so far been serioualy degraded by migrants, the problems may soon spread northwards. The fishing village of Cocoblla on the northern eoast, for example, 1s already facing serious socioeconomic difficulties
Cocoblla. an indigenous Garlfuna and Miskito Indian community. Is traditionally de pendent on the sea for Its livelihood. For the past 20 years, the Garlfuna and Mlskitos have been intensively harvesting lobster for export to the US. However, lobster stocks have now becomes so depleted, the government has Imposed a moratorium on lobster fishing, leaving much "of the community in dire financial straits. The moratorium began in February 1991, and many of the young people of Cocoblla have since been forced to leave the village In search of work or agricultural land.
This toss of revenue could put extra pressure on the rich resources of the Rio Hatano s
forests on CoewMa’s doorstep MOPAWI has been working with vllagrr* to develop alternative mean, of livelihood «Ad prevent any further forest destruction.
MOPAWI Is offering courses in mechanics, nutrition and agroforestry to the BOO-strong community The villager. are taught how to make the best use of their basic prod uct. —
rlee, beans, maize and mangoes New crops, such as cocoa. are also being Introduced
Cocos can be grown below the forest eanopy without cutting down the trees. Unlike rice and beans, cocoa ean withstand periodic flooding, and so provide farmer* with a more stable form of income. Aa part of the training programme, farmers will visit agrofore*try protects In Costa Rl< n to learn different technique* from other communi tie*.
To raluc focal awarenc** of cnvlronna-ntal Issue*, MOI’AWl also organizes exploratory expeditions for Indian community leaders and teacher*. The expedition* lake place on rnft* along major river* within the reserve The Indian* see first hand the effects of humankind's activities on the forest. No explanation or training is needed.
With heightened awareness of the problems, and increased motivation to protect the environment, the Indians then spread the world to the rest of Ine community,
An education and training programme organized by another WWF supported organization works with community leaders in 15 villages tn the southern zone of the reserve. The programme 1s trying to encourage these communities to share new experiences with each other.
Techniques developed and promoted by World Neighbours to increase soil fertility are being rapidly adopted by local farmers. Cover crops, in particular, are becoming widely accepted and sought after. These are legumes grown to protect and fertilize the soil.
(WWF Feature)