Results of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey: Caroni Swamp

Following the conduct of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys in communities surrounding pilot protected areas in Matura and Tobago, a similar exercise was carried out in communities surrounding the
Caroni Swamp.  This activity was undertaken in the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT).

Scarlet Ibis at the Caroni Swamp
Photograph courtesy: Tourism Development Authority

These surveys provide some insight on how the local people value these sites and their views on the protected area designation that is applied to the sites.  Additionally, the survey is able to uncover knowledge gaps and gain information on what is known about the area by those who live in close proximity to the sites.

Summarized information from the survey undertaken around the Caroni Swamp shows that people are knowledgeable about the Swamp and the threats that impact on its viability.  Many understand its ecological importance and others its economic value, and others shared views on how its management can be improved.

Read more about these findings at this link.

The Second Session of the Plenary of IPBES

The second session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-2) was held in Antalya, Turkey from the 9th to 14th December, 2013. 

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dr. Floyd Homer, Biodiversity Specialist (Head of  Delegation); Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU) and  Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Policy and Planning Division,  both from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. Dr. Homer also serves as a member of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) to the IPBES.

Dr. Homer (left), hard at work at MEP table at the IPBES-2.

Ms. Gordon awaiting the start of Plenary at IPBES-2.

The purpose of IPBES-2 was mainly centred on finalising the organisational, financial, administrative, and institutional arrangements for the operationalisation of the Platform. Culminating from discussions, delegates were successful in adopting a set of decisions regarded as “the Antalya Consensus,” paying homage to the host country of the second session of the Plenary of IPBES. 

 The Antalya Consensus includes decisions on:

• fast track, thematic, regional and sub-regional assessments and activities for capacity building,
•  a conceptual framework
• rules and  procedures  for the Platform specifically the nomination of future Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) members and procedures for the preparation of the Platform’s deliverables
• a collaborative partnership arrangement was made with four UN agencies; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations  Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

By adopting the Antalya Consensus, member States were instrumental in ensuring that the Platform becomes fully  functional. The Consensus was also a testament of the collective ambition to tackle global biodiversity challenges.

 

 

CONABIO Training to build capacity for a NBIS for Trinidad and Tobago

In pursuit of setting up a National Biodiversity Information System (NBIS), The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources received technical assistance from the National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) from Mexico, a permanent interdepartmental commission created in 1992. Among the main functions of CONABIO is the implementation and operation of the National Information System on Biodiversity (NISB) for Mexico.

Discussions initiated since April, 2012 with the Director of CONABIO at an Inter-governmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) meeting in Panama resulted in CONABIO indicating its willingness to share information with Trinidad and Tobago on their experience in setting up the biodiversity information coordination and management system.

As a follow-up to this interaction, a training session for building capacity for a NBIS in support of the Biodiversity Clearing House of Trinidad and Tobago by technical staff from CONABIO took place on 11 - 15th November, 2013 at the Public Education Centre, WASA, St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago.  

Key elements of the session included; sensitising relevant stakeholders on the development of the NBIS, identification of data sources in Trinidad and Tobago and training participants in the use and manipulation of the CONABIO’S NBIS (referred to as BIOTICA) for the collating and management of local biodiversity data and information.

Stakeholders involved in training included; representatives from the EPPD; Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), National Herbarium,  CABI, University of the West Indies (UWI) Zoology Museum and Life Sciences Department, Ministry of Food  Production’s Research, Horticulture and Fisheries Divisions and the Department of Agriculture, Marine Affairs and the   Environment of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).