The Official Site of the CHAGUARAMAS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies

• The Honourable Mr. Austin Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Transport and Member of Parliament for Chaguanas
• His Worship The Mayor of Chaguanas, Mr. Orlando Nagassar
• Mrs. Veronica Belgrave, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and the Environment
• Mr. Edo Stork, UN Deputy  Resident Representative
• Mrs. Joy Creese and Mr. Isaac James, Deputy Permanent Secretaries
• Chairman and Members of the National Wetlands Committee
• Mr. Antony Ramnarine,  Conservator of Forests
• Representatives of Environmental NGOs  and CBOs
• Principals, Teachers and Students
• Members of the Media
• Ladies and Gentlemen

I am indeed very pleased to join all of you at this very important function this morning, to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2011.   This occasion also launches our observance in Trinidad and Tobago of 2011 as International Year of the Forest.

The Forestry Division of the Ministry of Housing and the Environment could not have chosen a more appropriate venue for this event.  As a citizen, I have always been intrigued that right off this busy major North South Highway, an absolutely beautiful example of nature’s bounty exists.   It is always a pleasure to visit this relaxing sanctuary and I am very glad that the Forestry Division provided an opportunity for all of us to be here this morning in such pleasant refreshing surroundings.

 When I assumed responsibility for the Environment, I was alarmed to be told that fifty percent of the original wetlands area in Trinidad and Tobago had disappeared.  I was further advised that the resources of the surviving fifty percent were in many cases severely degraded through misuse and overexploitation.  This stark reality underscores today’s celebration of World Wetlands Day 2011 and the immediate imperatives we face as a country and as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

 The natural beauty we are privileged to experience this morning emphasizes the fact that the wealth of our twin island State lies not only in its industry but also in its natural environmental resources.  But I must stress that these resources need to be managed with the utmost care and diligence given the critical linkages between the environment and all other developmental activities. 

 At the National Environmental Conference held two Friday’s ago, I reiterated not only the importance of the environment but my Government’s commitment to its preservation.  We are moving decisively into immediate projects to give effect to this commitment.

 Tomorrow afternoon we turn sod to begin the next phase of home construction by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the responsible Agency of the Ministry.   As the country knows, I have mandated the HDC to incorporate elements of green housing in its new construction programme.  

We will therefore witness in the very near future the construction of eco-friendly units utilizing renewable energy features. 

This is but one demonstration of the awareness by this Government of the potential environmental impact that projects could have on our development, including our Wetlands and Forested areas.  We will ensure that measures will be implemented to minimize damage to these precious resources.

The theme of ‘Forests and Wetlands’ is particularly appropriate since the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. This provides an ideal opportunity to focus on a particular type of forest – those that are often or always wet, such as this one, with mangroves, flooded forests, and swamp forests. What better occasion for us to look at the importance of these wetlands and the many benefits they bring!  It also provides us with a good opportunity to focus on the many threats they face.

Forests are an integral part of global sustainable development. According to World Bank estimates, more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. The forest product industry is a source of economic growth and employment, with global forest products traded internationally in the order of 270 billion United States dollars. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that every year forested areas equivalent to 25 times the size of Trinidad and Tobago, are lost due to deforestation.

 Conversion to agricultural land, unsustainable harvesting of timber, unsound land management practices, and the creation of human settlements are the most common reasons for this loss of forested areas.

According to the World Bank, deforestation accounts for up to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. FAO data estimates that the world's forests and forest soilstore more than one trillion tons of carbon – twice the amount found in the atmosphere. It is useful to note that the World Bank estimates that forests provide habitats to about two-thirds of all species on earth, and that deforestation of closed tropical rainforests such as ours could account for biodiversity loss of as many as 100 species a day.

The real threats of climate change is directly impacts on the fisheries industry, flooding and biological diversity. It highlights why the international theme World Wetlands Day 2011 is “Wetlands and Forests” and focuses on those very issues on which the welfare and continuity of humanity depend. 

In 1993 Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the Convention on Wetlands which was inaugurated in Ramsar, Iran and is known as the Ramsar Convention.  This international intergovernmental convention, covers 130 contracting parties, and aims to conserve wetlands of international importance.

Wetlands are by nature, open systems and are subject to a wide variety of influences that may originate from within or outside of the wetlands themselves.  In fact, it has been demonstrated worldwide, that influences external to the wetland provide the greater threat.   Activities such as water borne pollution from agricultural, industrial, mining, quarry, and domestic activities carried out at distant locations have had as much a negative impact as the filling, alteration and development of wetlands.  In the face of this diversity of influences, there is need for a multidisciplinary approach to wetland management.

In fulfillment of our obligations under Ramsar, the Forestry Division was appointed as focal point and a National Wetlands Committee established in 1995.  The Committee has wide resources, was recently been reappointed and I look forward to their continuing contribution.

As I said earlier, regrettably, much of the original wetland area in Trinidad and Tobago has disappeared and the surviving acreages  severely degraded, with disastrous consequences.

One example is flooding in Woodbrook and other parts of Port of Spain, considered to be as a direct result of the effects of wetland degradation. Our wetlands in Caroni have been similarly affected by developments in the Couva – Point Lisas areas.  

Once regarded as wastelands, wetlands are now understood to be vital ecosystems that provide a myriad of services that contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation.  In Trinidad and Tobago, wetlands provide livelihood options and income generating opportunities to many persons, particularly at the traditional subsistence and household economies level.  They are exploited for timber, charcoal, medicine, fish, oysters, mussels, conch, lobsters, crabs and shrimp.  The estimated fish and shell-fish harvest in the Caroni Swamp is valued at one million dollars annually.  In 1999, the annual income generated from the conch and Cascadura fisheries in the Nariva Swamp was estimated at over $600,000 TT.

 Wetlands play important roles in shoreline protection, floodwater retention, and groundwater aquifer recharge.  They serve as important reservoirs for tropical biodiversity and are popular ecotourism and game fishing sites, all of which have subsidiary economic benefits.  Tourism is a critical economic sector in the Caribbean, and the reefs provide much of the sand for the region’s beaches.  In Tobago, an estimated 60,000 tourists visit Buccoo Reef annually.  It is significant to note that the integrity of the Buccoo Reef is supported by the Bon-Accord Lagoon and the nearby wetlands of Pigeon Point.

 The Caroni Swamp where we are this morning is one of the most visited eco-tourism sites in Trinidad.  It is especially popular with bird-watchers because of its rich avifauna and there are an estimated 16,000 visitors to this wetland annually.

 The Government of Trinidad and Tobago subscribes to the wise-use concept, which applies to all wetlands and water resources in our country.  In this regard, three sites have been recognized internationally as ‘Wetlands of International Importance’. These are the Nariva Swamp, the Buccoo-Bon Accord Lagoon Complex in Tobago and this Caroni Swamp.   These designations are recognition of our commitment to responsible environmental management.  They highlight our efforts in ensuring that wetlands can continue fully to fulfill their vital role in supporting maintenance of biological diversity and human well-being. I look forward to more of our wetlands being similarly recognized and anticipate receiving relevant submissions from National Wetlands Committee in the future.

 Another major priority is the revision of the National Wetlands Policy and Programmes. The potential impact of human activities, whether within the wetlands or in the associated catchments, demand that direct, specific attention be paid to land use policies and marine activities.  There is an urgent need for an effective policy as well as strategies that promotes protection and wise use of the nation’s wetland heritage.  This policy will address both aspects, in order that wetlands are protected in perpetuity while their resources are used and enjoyed by the greatest possible number of people.

 The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2011 as the International Year of Forests. In this context, the United Nations system through Governments and key stakeholders were encouraged to make concerted efforts to increase global awareness aimed at strengthening sustainable environmental management and development.

Trinidad and Tobago as an active participant in the United Forum on Forests, is joining its global counterparts in commemorating the International Year of Forests through a series of programmes and activities. The activities will highlight these natural resources and the need for good environmental practice by all persons.

Major activities, will include the launch of the forest fire protection plan in February, celebration of World Forestry Day in March, and a national tree planting ceremony where 110,000 seedlings will be planted across the nation. We are planning a symposium on Women in Forestry in the Caribbean; and, a national Forest Research symposium. The programme will place considerable emphasis on youth involvement, including interactions with primary and secondary schools, The year will climax with an Award of Excellence function dedicated to the men and women who have contributed to the management of the Environment.

I am also pleased that this year, 2011, the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Housing and the Environment celebrates its 110^th anniversary. The Division was established in 1901 and continues to be the lead agency with legal and administrative jurisdiction over forestry matters in Trinidad. This is a significant achievement and I take this opportunity to congratulate the Forestry Division on this milestone.  As Minister, I warmly thank the organization for its contribution to the management of our forests over the past 110 years.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, we must recognize that official support is not enough to protect our forests and wetlands.  We need the awareness, commitment, attitudinal and behavioral change of each and every citizen.  Individuals, corporate bodies, NGOs, CBOs – indeed the entire national community- must join with the Ministry of Housing and the Environment, and the Forestry Division in helping to protect our forests and wetlands to optimize the potential of these valuable national assets.  

As I highlighted at the start of my remarks, the rate at which our wetlands and forests are being lost is cause for serious concern.

We at the Ministry of Housing and the Environment are committed to this reverse this trend. Every citizen has the power to make a positive difference and to be a part of the solution.

I thank you.

see Minister's remarks on World Forestry Day Celebrations 2011