Part 2
Last week’s article examined some of the major issues affecting forests in T&T. This week we will examine some of the intervention strategies from state and civil society groups to protect and rehabilitate our forest cover.
State entities such as the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Forestry Division, Environmental Management Authority (EMA), and Minerals Advisory Committee for regulating mining (comprises the Ministry of Energy & Energy Affairs, Commissioner of State Lands, Town & Country Planning Division, Conservator of Forests, EMA, and the Water Resources Agency) are tasked with the responsibility of protecting our forested regions through legislative and public awareness channels, with several other government ministries addressing forest conservation as part of their larger mandates.
T&T has a suite of legislation and policies specifically addressing forest protection including the Forest Act (Chapter 66:01), Conservation of Wildlife Act (Chapter 67:01), State Lands Act (Chapter 57:01), Chaguaramas Development Act (Chapter 35:02), and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Rules (2001) and Environmentally Sensitive Species Rules (2001) under the Environmental Management Act (Chapter :). These provide legal protection to forests, and some prohibit human activity within designated forest reserves with fines imposed for breaching the law.
There are also broader environmental policies such as the National Environmental Policy (2006), National Wildlife Policy (2013), and the National Forest Policy (2011), which guide the holistic management of our environment through collaborative approaches often involving the local communities, non-governmental organisations and state entities. These policies can be revised from time to time to address new trends in environmental management and rely on multi-stakeholder partnerships for successful implementation.
There are also programmes which seek to involve citizens in forest conservation. For example, the Forestry Incentive Programme under the Forestry Division. This programme offers incentives for forest conservation on private lands by encouraging reforestation and conservation methods and promoting private forestry (ttconnect.gov.tt).
As part of a nationwide effort to preserve and increase forest reserves in T&T, individuals and businesses are granted rebates for fire tracing, machinery and equipment used in reforestation projects. Citizens of who own at least one hectare of land can qualify for the programme, which stipulates that trees must be planted within two years after registering and will be monitored by the Forestry Division for verification.
In 2014, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources launched a Forest Fire Prevention Hotline with the objective of reducing, if not eliminating instances of forest fire across the country. This system operates on a 24-hour, seven-day week basis and the launch of this initiative was accompanied by a number of interactive exhibits by the Forestry Division to increase awareness of forest fire prevention and environmental preservation. At the launch, Ramona Ramdial, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, stated that, “We must remember that our nation’s forests are environmental and economic assets that are in critical need of conservation and protection. Therefore, we must make every concerted effort to prevent the start and spreading of any forest fire.” (news.gov.tt)
In terms of forest protection at the community level, community based organisations such as the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project are steadfastly committed to the protection and conservation of forests. The group was established in 1982 by a group of farmers living in the Fondes Amandes watershed, and manages and conserves a portion of the forest, protecting it from forest fires and deforestation. Some of the project’s activities include eco tour services, planting forest and fruit trees and using seeds and other natural materials for craft. Their efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods have earned the group many prestigious national awards including the President’s Humming Bird Medal and EMA’s Green Leaf Award.
The Matura Turtle Conservation Project is another shining example of the success of community environmental groups. Communities along north-east Trinidad have ventured into ecotourism and replanting natural forests along the beaches to protect turtles and ease their nesting ritual by blocking out sunlight (un.org). The locals also facilitate tours and collect data in terms of the tagging of turtles. The efforts of both the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project and the Matura Turtle Conservation Project demonstrate the successful harmonisation of livelihood activities with environmental conservation.
Forest conservation efforts in T&T will indeed expand over time through increased collaboration between state entities and communities. However, this can only be hindered by man’s own haste for development which involves indiscriminate cutting of hillsides and often illegal mining.
Therefore, legislative enforcement and adequate public awareness strategies are critical to returning our forests to its once pristine state.
Note
The forest fire season begins on December 1 to June 30 of any given year. To report forest fires, please contact the Forest Fire Prevention Hotline at 800- FIRE (3473).