indigenous communities disagree, particularly with the species that are being used to reforest. 128
Moreover, during the on-site procedure, the Court observed that the scenery has been radically
altered in the areas that had been exploited.
E.2.3 Other natural resource extraction activities
94.
One of the consequences of the construction of the highway to extract bauxite was the
implementation of legal and illegal logging activities, poaching, and the mining of sand, gravel
and kaolin.129
95.
In the case of the logging activities, in 2008 the State granted a logging permit to
members of the indigenous community of Alfonsdorp.130 However, according to Captain
Watamaleo, the non-indigenous persons who took part in the logging activities are responsible
for the destruction of the forest, because they do not cut down the trees in a way that would
allow the saplings to grow. Furthermore, the paths that were traditionally used by the indigenous
peoples for hunting are being eliminated.131 And, non-indigenous persons have indiscriminately
logged trees that are sacred according to the world vision of the Kaliña and Lokono peoples.132
F. The urban subdivision project called "Tuinstad Albina" (“Garden City Albina”)
96.
It is an undisputed fact that, in 1975, the State began an urban subdivision project called
"Tuinstad Albina" (“Garden City Albina”) along the Marowijne River near the villages of Erowarte,
Tapuku, Pierrekondre and Marijkedorp (Wan Shi Sha).133
97.
According to the State, the area where the subdivision project is being executed was not
inhabited by indigenous peoples. However, statements made by several members of the
indigenous communities affected affirm the contrary. Thus, Captain Watamaleo stated that the
State had divided up parts of the villages into individual parcels even though indigenous persons
were living on those lands at the time.134 In addition, Captain Gunther stated that members of
his community were forced to leave their land.135 Similarly, Max Sabajo, a Lokono from
Marijkedorp, indicated that the indigenous peoples of the area were displaced from the banks of
the Marowijne River when the State began to grant parcels to wealthy individuals from the
city.136
128
In this regard, the trees planted have grown very little and are of no use to feed the animals because they no
longer provide fruits and seeds. Cf. Affidavit made by Captain Grace Watamaleo on January 27, 2015 (merits file, folio
449) and Affidavit made by Stuart Kirsh on January 27, 2015 (merits file, folios 360 and 361).
129
Cf. Expert opinion of Stuart Kirsh of January 27, 2015 (merits file, folios 353 and 360).
130
Cf. Expert opinion of Stuart Kirsh of January 27, 2015 (merits file, folio 355).
131
Cf. Affidavit made by Captain Grace Watamaleo on January 27, 2015 (merits file, folios 448 and 450).
132
Cf. Statement made on August 19, 2015, during the on-site procedure, by Louis Biswane, Assistant of the Captain
of Pierrekondre (merits file, folio 973).
133
Cf. Affidavit made by Captain Grace Watamaleo on January 27, 2015 (merits file, folio 443); Testimony of Captain
Jona Gunther during the public hearing held in this case on February 3, 2015; Affidavit made by Max Sabajo on
September 25, 2008 (merits file, folio 161), and Traditional use and management of the Lower Marowijne area by the
Kaliña and Lokono, supra (evidence file, folio 141). In this regard, the representatives asserted that, between 1976 and
2008, approximately 20 titles were issued to non-indigenous persons.
134
Cf. Affidavit made by Captain Grace Watamaleo on January 27, 2015 (merits file, folio 443).
135
Cf. Testimony of Capitan Jona Gunther during the public hearing held in this case on February 3, 2015.
136
Cf. Affidavit made by Max Sabajo on September 25, 2008 (merits file, folio 161).
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