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ISSN 1108-8931 |
Year 6 - Issue 69 |
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Sponsored by: Zante Feast Discovery Holidays, Purple Valley Yoga Centre, Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, Jorth Consult Limited, Pacuare Lodge |
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 North
Andaman Tsunami Relief Updateby Boddhi Garrett of Golden Buddha Beach in Thailand The world is scientifically and officially turning a little faster these days since the tsunami. Here at NATR it certainly feels like it. As the days turn into months, our little world of tsunami-relief is expanding at what sometimes feels like break neck speed. However, we're now taking a moment to pause and reflect not only on the immediate future, but also gazing at the horizon and considering what that future may hold. As the villagers begin to move out of crisis mode, NATR is shifting gears along with them. Whilst we continue our appropriate short term programs, we have also begun working with villagers to empower them and support them in making decisions about the next steps in their futures. Villagers are confident that we will be right along with them as they move on with their lives because we have consistently been communicating with them over the last months, and supporting them where needed. This is an important point as other organizations and agencies begin to pull out over the coming months. To support the long term community growth needed for
the future of these villages, we are in the process of building
Community Centres in Bak Jok and Baan Talae Nok, and have created
tsunami relief working groups for Koh Phratong, Koh Surin, and Baan
Talae Nok. The politics of tsunami relief work are surprisingly similar
to politics the world over, but the particulars of the local pecking
order adds a level of complexity that is sometimes very intense. As many
of the larger tsunami affected villages such as Khao Lak are overrun
with relief groups, numerous groups (including the Ricky Martin
Foundation) are beginning to come up the coast to our little Kuraburi
area. While their intentions are certainly good, the results are often
far from positive. Pictures are taken, promises are made, and some money
is thrown around, but there is little accountability between donor
groups and villagers. Often, resources are distributed unfairly, and the
inequality adds to the pre-existing tensions within communities. As they
say, too many cooks can spoil the broth. Another news item that may not have made it onto the updates is NATR's official Leave No Trace policy. This means that we strive to minimize our negative impact in the communities we serve. No t-shirts with our logo, no big banners advertising our work, and no false promises or unrealistic raising of hopes. The other part of this philosophy involves choosing projects that are culturally appropriate, and are driven by the desires of the villagers, not the tsunami relief groups. View and Support NATR's efforts at:
The Simusol is a precision instrument that we have developed and hand-crafted at Mas Lluerna, that simulates the movements of the sun, made out of beech wood, with lasting and recyclable materials. It is useful to solar installers and developers, bioclimatic architects, renewable energy specialists and educators. With the Simusol we can estimate the angle with which solar light hits the earth and estimate the day of the year with a precision of 1,5 degrees, in all countries of the world. Thus, one can perform a detailed study and avoid errors that can interfere with the good function of a solar installation. In addition, the Simusol can be used as a solar watch for all latitudes.
Jean Loveland (who was a great Volunteer at the Inn last September and October) nominated Black Sheep Inn for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards sponsored by the World Tourism & Travel Council (WTTC). We then submitted an application for the entire Village of Chugchilán under the Destination Award Category. This is awarded to a destination of any size - from a small town to an entire country that comprises more than one tourism business. The destination must show dedication to, and success in, maintaining a policy of sustainable management. We are honoured to be a finalist for such a prestigious award. The winners of each category will receive the award in New Delhi India on April 8th at the World Tourism & Travel Council Summit. In other news, we invited the third term Mayor of Sigchos and the new local Junta/Town Council, to a meeting at the Black Sheep Inn this past January. Topics on the table included: garbage management and recycling for Chugchilán, environmental education, the Iliniza Ecological Reserve, and the Super Highway Quito-Guayaquil. The mayor offered to pay for a small property near Chugchilán and to send the municipal excavator to dig landfill trenches. We insisted that there should be space available to sort and separate trash for recycling. The mayor agreed, but stressed that the village first find an adequate site. We suggested vehicle owners in the village, including ourselves, take turns doing weekly garbage runs. We have discovered a recycling centre in Latacunga that recycles cardboard, paper, aluminum, and 2 types of plastic. We have also recently organized a village clean up and discussion regarding waste management in Chugchilán. The Community helped clean the plaza and trails in preparation for the Tourism for Tomorrow Inspection. We were honoured by everybody's participation and by the general positive vibe regarding tourism in Chugchilán, which has only developed in the last 10 years.
Our Lodge Yacutinga, is located in the Province of Misiones, in Argentina's tropical north east. Our Lodge was selected in 2003 by the WTO as one of 60 best practice examples worldwide. At the end of 2004, for second time the WTO cited Yacutinga Lodge because of one of our Projects, the Bio Station which is conducting-monitoring and management of tourism stress impact at our Nature Reserve. Yacutinga Lodge is currently working very hard to create a model of sustainable human relations with our neighbours, a Mbya Guarani group of 20 families, so as to prove that Guarani and "White" people can peacefully live together, using land and natural Resources in a balanced way. We have developed several projects together, of which the most important is perhaps a cooperative to produce wild honey. We are trying to put these kind of news in the newspapers of our local state but it appear there are some in the state Government that do not like what we are doing. Indeed, our Mbya neighbours are doing much better
than the rest of the Guarani people spread in the State of Misiones.
Beyond the destruction of the Misiones forest by private forestry
companies, the basic problem is the lack of economic opportunities,
medical assistance and proper education for the Guarani. It appears that
the state Government feels it is easier to let the Guarani People survive
under basic conditions, so that they can be totally absorbed and
transculturalized, their roots forgotten. ECOCLUB Note: As reported by the World Rainforest Movement, the authorities of the ancient Mbya Guarani people have recently resorted to criminal justice to denounce the governor of the Province for 'genocide'. They allege that a private forestry company, with the endorsement of the Provincial Government, started deforesting what is their means of life and subsistence. In recent months, children from the communities have died of malnutrition. Since August 2004, Chiefs and members of some 40 Mbya Guarani communities have taken turns to wait in the central square of the provincial capital Posadas to ask for recognition of their rights.
We introduced our Sustainable Living Initiative in
the last issue. Following a very successful open day attended by 73
participants, most of whom joined the organisation, we have now held 3
workshops. On March 21st , at 3 Rivers, and March 22nd in a joint
mission with the Springfield guest house we held two workshops on how to
convert diesel vehicles to run on used cooking oil. About 40 people in
total attended the two workshops, including a contingent from the
Dominica state college mechanics class. Four days later, we held part
one of our micro hydro electricity course, which was also a great
success. All of these workshops were also attended by 13 students from
the University of Vermont, who are about to form a partnership with our
Sustainable Living Initiative. Details are currently being finalized.
The next workshop is being held on April 9th, at 3 Rivers, to teach
people how to make a solar hot water heating system, using recycled
parts. There are already about 30 people booked for that one. The rest of
the courses will be programmed for the coming weeks, and they will all
be repeated for those who did not get a chance to attend this time. The
graduates from the first set of courses will be invited back to help run
the next courses, with a view to them each then holding their own
workshops in their own villages. Anyone interested in joining, or
funding the initiative should contact me at any time. |
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