Upper Coesewijne nature reserve
The Upper Coesewijne Nature Reserve is located in Suriname in the Saramacca and Para districts .
The nature reserve was founded in 1986 and covers an area of 27,000 hectares . In October 2004, Suriname received a grant of US $ 350,000 from WWF to protect and manage the reserve more effectively.
The upper reaches of the Coesewijne flows through the conservation area, which is fed by many small streams and meanders through mangrove forests and savannah landscapes . In addition to the scenic charm, it is characterized by its abundance of fish. The river is here further for the visitor through the u. a. occurring manatees , giant otters and white caiman interesting.
The reserve is further characterized by its varied savannah landscape with wetlands and dry highlands with a great biological diversity of flora and fauna .
The area has been threatened in recent years mainly by gold diggers on the Goliathberg and the associated pollution of the Coesewijne.
The residents of Bigi Poika , a Caribbean (Kali'na) village community at the northeast end of the reserve , have traditional rights over the area. The local population is therefore preferred as forest and protection personnel in the nature reserve.