Experience Nariva – Creating a community-driven, sustainable cluster and brand to transform ecotourism in the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago

Nariva Swamp is the largest and most ecologically diverse wetland in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).  It is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and protected as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) under national legislation. The rural communities that surround the swamp have high multidimensional poverty levels, with many community members depending on the swamp for their livelihoods, especially for fishing and agriculture.  Previous studies have highlighted the high ecotourism potential for the swamp and associated benefits for economic development and poverty reduction in the area. However, only limited, uncoordinated ecotourism activities presently exist in the swamp. These include a few informal small and microenterprises (SMEs) such as boat tour operators, food and beverage vendors, fisherfolk, farmers and craft vendors.

About the Project

Against this backdrop, the Experience Nariva project designs and implements a community-based ecotourism model for conservation in the Nariva Swamp Protected Area (NSPA) and surrounding communities on the south-east coast of Trinidad. The project aims to support the transformation of the local eco-tourism offerings, from an ad hoc development to a more coordinated, sustainable and inclusive model, involving micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and one that is community-driven and managed, promotes the conservation of the NSPA, its natural resources and the well-being and resilience of the surrounding communities.

How will this project benefit the Caribbean region?

• By supporting tourism pandemic recovery efforts through innovative and sustainable approaches.

• By promoting a coordinated approach to ecotourism around the Nariva Swamp.

• By fostering conservation of the natural resources of the Nariva Swamp.

• By strengthening nature based enterprises operating in and around the Nariva Swamp.

What activities are we undertaking to achieve this?

• Development and promotion of an ecotourism business cluster.

• Business strengthening of the individual Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) within the business cluster.

• Participatory mapping of the natural resources of the Nariva Swamp by cluster SMEs and community members from the six target communities – Plum Mitan, Biche, Manzanilla, Ortoire, Kernahan, Mafeking.

• Establishment of an Experience Nariva Conservation Fund which local communities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can access to conduct conservation activities around the Nariva Swamp.

What have we achieved so far?

• Establishment of the Experience Nariva Ecotourism Business cluster: Cluster members are working with the Co-operative Development Division of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Services to formalise their group as a Co-operative. Read about the Cluster formation process.

• Development and implementation of a marketing strategy, including development of a website and social media presence, for the cluster is underway.

• Business strengthening support through a mentoring process supported by microgrants for the twelve SMEs in the cluster. Here is a listing of SMEs that participated. A Summary of business strengthening and capacity building activities is available here.

• Participatory mapping exercises conducted with the 12 SMEs in the business cluster, along with community members and CSOs from the six communities targeted. These mapping exercises identified high priority sites for conservation/restoration as well as sites of existing and potential tourism.

Project news

• SMEs utilise CANARI grants to boost ecotourism in the Nariva Swamp
• Kernaham Gorgeous Greens Nursery and Plant Shop – an initiative of the Kernaham Cascadoux Women’s Group
• CANARI’s Partners Forum – a showcase of the Experience Nariva Initiative supporting LGEs
• Nariva Bush Bush Tours – one of twelve ecotourism/nature-based enterprises receiving capacity building and microgrant financing to strengthen their businesses
• Spotlight on Nandoo’s Mango Estate, an ecotourism enterprise in the Nariva Swamp
• Business mentoring activities are underway among Nariva based businesses
• Experience Nariva Pilot Day  – a guided tour and culinary experience of the Nariva Swamp

Project-related communications

• Summary of business strengthening activities under the Experience Nariva Project
• Development of the Experience Nariva Ecotourism Cluster

More information about this project

• Project brief
• Contact Dr. Natalie Boodram, Senior Technical Officer, at natalie@canari.org

Related projects and programmes

Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago Project (BIOREACH)