Americas ok.indd - World Water Council

1164th World Water ForumLocal actions details:IDLA0066First name josefina Last name EspaillatOrganizationInternational Resources GroupCountryDominican RepublicGenderFemaleEmailljosefina2000@yahoo.comScope of the action: sinRegion:AmericasName of Local Action: Community company for the protection and usefor eco-tourism of the Río Damajagua (DamajaguaRiver), Dominican RepublicFramework theme: Water for Growth and DevelopmentCrosscutting perspectives: New Models for Financing Local Water InitiativesType of Organization: Civil society organizations; International andintergovernmental institutions; National and local governments, authoritiesand associatedDescription and location of the problem and activity as implementedThe Damajagua river has 27 waterfalls that take on the role of spas. These areused by tourist companies in Puerto Plata without the community obtainingany economic benefit from this activity.The association of tourist guides of Damajagua are negotiating a projectthat includes building service infrastructures, paths and regulations for theuse of puddles, as well as activities for the protection of flora and fauna, andthe formation of tourist guides with the support of the State Environment andNatural Resources Secretariat. The income generated will be shared with thecommunity. The Damajagua river is a national monument in the categories ofthe National Protected Areas System.This action is being undertaken in the municipality of Imbert, PuertoPlata Province, Dominican Republic. Similar actions are being developed in themunicipality of Nagua.Impact of implemented activity (social, economical, environmental, etc.)Expected results:• Improved environmental conditions (improved water quality, less garbage,less writing on the rocks, restored flora and fauna).• Legitimization of the association of guides with exclusive rights over thenatural monument of the Damajagua river (co-management agreementwith SEMARENA, Tourist Safety, professional training for guides).• Construction of the indispensable infrastructure for the operation of thearea (area for visitors, bathrooms, interpretative paths).• The activity is now under development, so there are still no results toreport.• The activity generates income that expects to have benefits for thecommunity (building of community infrastructures, support for children’sand young people’s education).• New jobs will be created and the current guides will be guaranteed abetter wage.• The environmental impact will be reflected on better water quality, lesserosion along the riverbank and better protection of the area’s flora andfauna.• The impact of the project will be at the river basin and regional levels.• The indirect impact includes the strengthening of the local capacity tomanage its resources, greater contact of tourists with the local culture(food, dances, chants, etc.), and increased self-esteem in the community.Types of stakeholders involved• Secretaría de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales(Environment and Natural Resources State Secretariat, Governmentinstitution)• Tourist companies (private sector)• Asociación de Guías de Turistas (Tourist Guide Association, civil society)• Ayuntamiento de Imbert (Imbert City Hall, local authority)• International Resources Group, (IRG)• Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral (Dominican IntegralDevelopment Institute, IDDI NGO)Means of stakeholder involvement and role they play(ed)The SEMARENA is responsible for the resource and dictates the rules of usein the area. It facilitates the training of the guides. The tourist companies arethose that take tourists and charge for the service. With this new proposal,their benefits are to be disseminated in favor of the community. The guideassociation provides the service of interpretation in the area. They are the onesin charge of managing and administering the area. IRG supports the GuideAssociation financially for the implementation of the activity. IDDI supportsthe Guide Association in the administration of the funds.Long-term commitment and targetsThe obstacles to sustainability refer to the load of visitors and the economicbenefits. Therefore regulations are needed as well as a better distribution ofthe benefits generated by the area and the capacity of the guide association togain credibility before the SEMARENA and the tourist companies. As such, thetourist guide training is oriented to this, as are the regulations for hiring thevisitations and the use of the natural resources. The SEMARENA and the GuideAssociation are expected to agree to work together on this.The recurring costs estimated per year are 1.3 million for the first two years.Income is estimated at 1.6 million a year.Originality and Innovative IdeasThis action constitutes an innovative experience because it will be acollaborative management within the category of the National ProtectedAreas System. It is an association based on the community that performsthe activity. There are good synergies and alliances between the civil society,OBC, international entity and NGO. This action is fortifying the local capacityregarding the management of natural resources and accounting management.It will bring benefits for the tourist companies, the Guide Association and thecommunity. It constitutes a pilot experience of how to work in conjunctionwith the Government-civil society.Costs involved (no more than 500 words)The total of all costs involved should be clearly reported.The total costs of the project are RD$ 3.524,592.00 with a contribution fromthe IRG of RD$ 1,475,300 and a compensatory contribution of RD$ 2,047,792.( The rate is RD$ 30.00 Pesos per US$ 1.). The compensatory contributionsinclude the SEMARENA training, the community work and that of the GuideAssociation.Lessons learned that you would propose to present at the4th World Water Forum• The collaborative management of protected areas. Transfer of functionsand responsibilities from the State to the civil society.• Use of water for recreational purposes with generation of resources, withan investment in improved infrastructure.• Importance of the formation of the community in natural resources andaccounting management.This action can be replicated in many contexts in Latin America where theState lacks personnel and resources for the protection of the Resource, andtherefore shares the responsibility with the civil society.Local actions details:IDLA1078First name Jaime Last name Roblero RobleroOrganizationConsejo Comunitario de Desarrollo NuevoProgreso San José OjetenamCountryGuatemalaGenderMaleEmailnora.herrera@iucn.orgType of organization: BasinRegion:AmericasName of Local Action: Nuevo Progreso Micro-Watershed Committee- San Marcos GuatemalaFramework theme: Water for Growth and Development