Alarming evidence shows massive deforestation continues in Saamaka territories

[Cali, Colombia] – [October 31, 2024] – A new study released today shows that deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Saamaka territory has increased 57% compared to rates observed in the previous 6 years. Devastating news just four months after international outcry and a national mobilization against illegal logging and mining concessions granted by the government of Suriname.

The evidence comes as an update to the June report, “Suriname, the Greenest Country in the World? The Case of the Saamaka and Their Fight Against Deforestation”, which had already revealed the shocking extent of forest damage - 60,000 Ha - amounting to 32% of Saamaka territory. The report’s findings were presented to the President’s Cabinet this past June with hopes of triggering action.

Yet this new evidence proves that multinational logging company Palmera N.V. shows no signs of halting operations. On the contrary, it is ramping up activities with the government’s full backing.

The report highlights the following key findings:

• Significant deforestation: Using an integrated alert system from Global Forest Watch and geospatial technology, a 57% increase in forest loss was accounted for between June and September 2024.
• Role of logging companies: Palmera N.V.’s road went from 56 kilometers long by the end of 2023 to a total of 123 kilometers by end of September 2024. Deforestation directly adjacent to the road went from 268 Ha in August 2023 to 793 Ha in June 2024. In the last 3 months, Palmera N.V’s footprint has increased by another 454 Ha, extending its operations deeper into the Saamaka forests.
• Impact on Saamaka communities: The road has granted access to a forest area with high spiritual value for the Saamaka, which they have preserved for almost three hundred years. This area is now accessible for loggers, poachers and illegal gold miners, while thousands of timber has been exploited without benefiting the communities.

The Saamaka’s ancestral lands expand over 1.4 million Ha, of which 1.1 million are covered in forest, home to diverse flora and fauna and the source of livelihoods for 74 Saamaka villages. The Saamaka's harmonious coexistence with nature exemplifies the concept of "Peace with Nature," a central theme of the UN biodiversity summit known as COP16.

The Saamaka Communities Association (VSG) - which represents the Saamaka People - is making an urgent demand at COP16 to protect the Amazon rainforest in Suriname and the rights of its Indigenous, Afro-Descendant and Tribal Peoples. They are calling upon their supporters to sign a petition to demand the Government of Suriname and the UN CBD members for urgent action.

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The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of more than 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRI’s members capitalize on each other’s strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to achieve solutions more effectively and efficiently. RRI leverages the power of its global coalition to amplify the voices of local peoples and proactively engage governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to adopt institutional and market reforms that support the realization of rights. RRI is coordinated by the Rights and Resources Group (RRG), a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.

The International Land Coalition is a global alliance of People’s Organisations, civil society and intergovernmental organisations working together to put people at the centre of land governance. The shared goal of ILC’s 300+ members is to realise land governance for and with people at the country level, responding to the needs and protecting the rights of women, men and communities who live on and from the land. For more information, visit: www.landcoatition.org