Public Awareness Campaign for the NIP begins!

In fulfillment of the obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in 2013 the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), through funding from the United Nations Development Programme, completed and submitted Trinidad and Tobago’s National Implementation Plan (NIP). The NIP is a five (5) year road map that identifies mechanisms to measure, manage, reduce or eliminate the threat of POPs in the country.

A critical component of the NIP is the roll out of a public awareness campaign, with the aim of sensitizing the nation on the adverse effects of POPs, the mechanisms to reduce their exposure to such toxins, and to provide information on the recommended activities outlined in NIP.  As such, a limited but comprehensive public awareness campaign has been developed to target policy makers, the industrial sector and the general public. 

The main elements of the public awareness package include:

• Distribution of the NIP (hard copy and electronically).
• Dissemination of informational material including brochures, flip cards,and posters.
• Publication of articles on POPs in industry magazines and newsletters such as the Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce's (TTCIC) "Contact" Magazine and the Energy Chamber's "Energy Now" Newsletter.
• Publicizing of a 45 second advertisment on POPs on local TV stations and MovieTowne, Port of Spain and Caribbean Cinemas Southpark and on various social media platforms.
• Showcasing of information on POPs and the NIP on the EPPD's Blogspot: http://eppd-tt.blogspot.com/ 

Promotional material will be distributed to key actors in the waste and chemicals field, schools across the nation as part of an education campaign and the general public during the EPPD's public awareness. 

Be on the look out for information like the promotional material below, on 'what are' and 'how to protect yourself and the environment against' POPs!

Forging Forward: IFPAM Sub-Committees start work in pilot PAs

To date, the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago”, (IFPAM) pilot protected area (PPA) sub-committees have formulated work plans for the 6 pilot sites under the IFPAM Project and have commenced implementation of their plans.  Three of the subcommittees have executed site visits to verify literature reviews on the ground and to improve their contextual understanding of management issues in their PPA so that they can formulate recommendations on the boundaries and level of protection required for their PPA.

These site visits occurred on: 

• March 4th, 2016: The Nariva PPA sub-committee gathered information on land use, hydrology, ecology, and threats on their site visit 

• March 11th, 2016: The Trinity Hills and eastern extension PPA sub-committee analysed issues concerning habitat fragmentation and edge effects; location of existing eastern boundary, and proposals for a new eastern boundary; challenges with coordinating monitoring efforts among multiple entities with responsibility for management; and improving the approach to the management of hunting of wildlife on their site visit
• March 18th, 2016: The Caroni Swamp PPA sub-committee explored issues on supporting sustainable  livelihoods at the pilot site.

The remaining PPA sub-committees have chosen other activities to start work on in their PPA.  The Matura PPA sub-committee is currently engaged in drafting a communication plan for the PPA.  This initiative, lead by the  Environmental Management Authority, includes a Knowledge, Attitude and Perception Survey of the 15 communities surrounding the PPA and the participatory development of a three-dimensional model of the PPA with the residents of the 15 communities.  The PPA sub-committee which manages the two PPAs in Tobago have focused their attention on coordinating research in the PPAs.

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Trinity Hills PPA on March 11th, 2016

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Caroni Swamp PPA on March 18th, 2016

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Nariva Swamp  on March 11th, 2016.

 Other outputs to be produced in the 1st year of the IFPAM Project are:

• National PA system plan
• Training of PA managers on interpretation and trail design
• A roadmap towards the preparation of Protected Areas Management Plans for the 6 pilot protected areas
• Work plan for the preparation of protected areas management plans for the 6 PPAs
• Plans for establishing the National Biodiversity Information System (NBIS)
• Baseline inventory, training and protocols for an ecological research and monitoring programme 
• A visibility strategy for the Project including a public education and awareness programme 

 

Looking at Nariva swamp through new spectacles: Reflections of the first site visit of the Nariva Pilot Protected Area Committee

“The hill was steep but all of us made it to the top of Brigand Hill.  The panoramic view on the tower quickly removed any regret over the arduous trek to the top of the tower.  Laid out before us was the beauty of the Nariva Swamp.  Laid out before us were scenes from history. Block A – Leased out for agriculture; Block B – once under rice cultivation and now covered in wetland marsh grasses.  The green of hardwood species and the Bush Bush Wildlife Sanctuary peaking in the distance. The coast line in the distance beckoning memories of the large flood event and destruction of infrastructure in 2014.”

 

These could be the memories of any of the 13 member team of the Nariva Pilot Protected Area Subcommittee on 4^th March, 2015. The establishment of sub-committees comprising of key stakeholders for six pilot protected areas sites is a key strategy for guiding the implementation of the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" Project. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO/UN) is implementing this four year project on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to ensure sustainable management of the nation's forests and protected areas. 

 

The Subcommittee commenced work on their work plan with a visit to the pilot protected area site to gather information on land use, hydrology, ecology and threats to improve their contextual understanding of issues related to the management of the site.The Subcommittee intends to use the information from this site visit to make recommendations on the boundaries and level of protection required for this pilot protected area.

Snapshots of the Nariva Pilot Protected Area Sub-Committee's site visit: