During 2000 Plenty continued working with the Carib Council, Waitukubuli Karifuna Development Agency (WAIKADA), the Organization of Concerned Carib Women (OCCW), the Karifuna Cultural Group (KCG), and the Carib Farmers Association (CARIFA) to address land degradation issues.
The Carib people of Dominica are the last remaining indigenous people in the Caribbean region who continue to hold their land in common trust and elect tribal leaders to manage the affairs of their community. Caribs have traditionally agreed that land not occupied or being used within their collectively held territory (3,700 acres) was open for any Carib wanting to plant or build a house. Over the past 17 years the population of the Carib territory has almost doubled (to approx. 3,400) while means of earning most family incomes have remained much the same, through sale of bananas and crafts. Young men and women starting new families stake out areas of land they use to build houses and plant crops that provide for their basic needs. As the cost of living and population has increased many people have been forced to cut forests and plant gardens wherever possible. Much of the land now clear cut for growing bananas has been vital to the maintenance of water supplies. Many streams have dried up because of the clear cutting and erosion has increased, depleting soil fertility and in some cases causing landslides during the rainy seasons. Individuals and Carib organizations mentioned above have recognized that continuing current land use trends will cause ecological and economic disaster within their territory. Community organizations are pursuing a three-pronged plan for addressing their land use issues: 1) continued comprehensive community education work; 2) intensive reforestation efforts; and 3) development of alternative income generating activities.
Over the past two years, Plenty Austin representative Chuck Haren assisted the Carib people secure funding from the New England Bio Labs Foundation for community wide education and consultation activities. As a result of these activities the Carib people agreed that their Council and WAIKADA should work on the first draft of a new land use agreement.
During 2001 Plenty Austin is requesting contributions to assist reforestation efforts within the Carib Territory. Every $100 donated will help the Carib people grow/buy, transport, plant and nurture trees in vital watershed areas. For more information about the Carib Land Use Reform Initiative please contact Chuck Haren.
