Trinidad and Tobago yesterday took a giant leap in "going green", as Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal launched a significant pilot project. Moonilal gushed that the undertaking was a "template and example for other local and regional green projects."
In the midst of high-powered sector officials, the minister initiated Nariva Swamp Restoration, Carbon Sequestration and Livelihoods Project, which, he said, could give Trinidad and Tobago "global visibility as a committed member of the green global economy on four levels." The first, he said, pertains to the replanting of 1,300 hectares of degraded land, which, he added, "will demonstrate our commitment to environmental restoration in a sustainable manner."
The restoration will see a return of several species of wildlife that had previously attracted visitors, Moonilal said. Secondly, the project will integrate the community as the chief source of labour and skills, he told the audience at the launch. He identified examples of "livelihood generation" as nursery operators, tree planting and tending, fire prevention, fishing, tour guiding and community farming. Further, the project has "dedicated significant resources to community and public awareness and education, and will focus issues pertaining to sustained use of the resource," Moonilal said.
Fourthly, the flagship venture represents T&T's "first entry into the carbon market where the gains from new, human-induced forest growth represent carbon stock that can be monetised on the international carbon market and enhance revenue generation." He added that this enhances the country's reputation, particularly as a small island State seeking to address our international commitments in the current effort to arrest and minimise the impacts of climate change." Moonilal said: "As the Minister with responsibility for the environment, I feel the time is right to explore the avenues available for green growth in the economy."
He added that "all indicators point that this is the right way to go and I am anxious to start having more discussions with my ministry's agencies to make this goal a reality." Officials attending the function included Dr Joth Singh, CEO of the Environmental Management Authority, Prof John Agard of the University of the West Indies, and Kenny Singh, Deputy Conservator of Forests. Symbolic planting of trees also took place.