The restoration of approximately 500 hectares of the Nariva Swamp is a multi-dimensional task. Along with the various technical stakeholders, this goal can only be achieved through the engagement and utilisation of the seven communities that surround the swamp: Biche, Cascadoux Charuma, Cocal, Kernanhan, Manzanilla, Plum Mitan and Plum Road.
The National Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, Wildlife and Livelihoods Project's (NRCSWLP) involvement in these communities goes beyond the life of the project and looks at improvement in their lives and the creation of sustainable opportunities after the project's end in March 2017. When launched in 2010, one of the main objectives was "to develop the sustainable livelihood opportunities for surrounding communities who depend on the swamp's resources."
This has since evolved "to develop capacity of Community Based Organisations in organisational and entrepreneurial skills to facilitate livelihood sustainability." The main vehicle of attaining this is through the project's Communication, Education and Public Awareness (Cepa) programmes.
Training and education:
Within the past four years of the project, over 400 residents of the communities surrounding the swamp were trained in planting, tending, firefighting, land preparation, survey techniques, nursery maintenance and first aid. These programmes were done in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, the T&T Fire Service and the University of West Indies.
Building on the mentioned objective, the NRCSWLP conducted a series of workshops to improve the managerial capabilities of the groups, empower them to think beyond the project, and prepare them for life. In-house and outsourced professionals were used for workshops in financial management, institutional strengthening, project management and leadership.
Public awareness:
Community support and buy-in are integral to the project's success. Consultations were held in the initial phase of the project and have continued through weekly Thursday meetings in the community. The project has also supported the youth by hosting an annual Environmental Camp in the Plum Mitan and Biche communities.
Thus far, over 100 students have benefitted from the camps. There has also been a continued investment in building better relations with residents through hamper distributions, food drives, and an annual Appreciation and Awards Ceremony. In 2013, the NRCSWLP held a national photography competition, focusing on pictures from the Nariva Swamp.
Employment:
Currently, the NRCSWLP engages the services of the 11 community-based organisations in the planting, tending, fire suppression and seedling production activities of the project. Increased opportunities also opened for other organisations and individuals in the communities to provide catering, venue rental, sound system, labour and transportation services for various activities.
Future projects:
Training will focus on the education and empowerment of future entrepreneurs in the communities surrounding the area. There is a wealth of unharnessed talent in these communities and this project creates a platform for this to be realised.
Partnerships are being formed with various state agencies to assist in this endeavour. From a survey conducted in November 2014 by the project unit, adult literacy was identified as one of the many issues the community faced.
The project is working with another NGO to develop a comprehensive adult literacy programme in two of the surrounding communities.
Also on the forefront is improving the facilities of the Nariva Swamp, with the intent of it becoming one of T&T's top eco-tourist destination. Community involvement is essential to the viability of this enterprise as they would provide the base of the employment.
Keeping emphasis on the youth population, continued public education campaigns and school visits will continue as well as a regional Spelling Bee for the eight primary schools in the area.
To help protect
our local wetlands:
�2 Experience and learn more about this local Ramsar Wetland site
�2 Educate others–share what you've learned with your family and friends
�2 Volunteer or form a community group to help conserve or clean up our natural resources
�2 Report any illegal practices like poaching, squatting, or dumping of garbage