The authenticity of a video posted on the Facebook page of the environmental advocacy group Papa Bois Conservation, which purportedly raises the removal of mangrove and trees at Invaders Bay, Port-of-Spain, is now being questioned.The video, which was posted last Friday under the heading "Invaders Bay devastated," last one minute and 49 seconds and gives an aerial view of the area, located at the back of MovieTowne, which shows no vegetation on the land.
The video drew a series of negative comments, some of which knocked those who allegedly sacrificed the environment for progress by allowing the mangrove in the area to be uprooted and the land laid bare for impending development.Contacted yesterday, however, Marc de Verteuil, founding member of the group, said he was not aware of the details the video, as he had simply "reposted it."Asked if he had been to the site, he said, "We have no involvement in that project whatsoever."
One of the group's directors, Stephen Broadbridge, said he believed the area was refilled, but at one point there were mangroves."Whether it was refilled a long time ago or not, at some point there would have been mangroves and trees and we need to have them replanted," Broadbridge said.
Broadbridge said he was not against development, but urged this be done in a sensible manner, especially taking into consideration the well being of the environment. He recommended a "mangrove forest" be created and a boardwalk placed in the center, so as to educate students and the general population about its uses.
"When the mangrove is cut down I see no effort in having it replanted and this poses a huge problem, as mangroves are not only habitats for animals but they also prevent garbage from entering ocean," Broadbridge added.But speaking to the T&T Guardian from Toronto, chairman and CEO of Multicinemas Trinidad Ltd, Derek Chin, denied claims of mangrove destruction. He also said people should get the facts before making mischievous statements.
Between 1998 and 1999 the land was reclaimed and over the years it became overgrown with bush, Chin said. "The land was reclaimed by the Port Authority and it was then transferred to Udecott. Over the years a lot of bush has been growing on the land and that has been posing some serious issues," Chin said.He said this ranged from stray dogs, cats and rats taking up residence in the bush to the area providing a haven for mosquitoes and would-be-robbers.
"So no mangrove was ever cut down because it was simply bush there all the time and Udecott finally cut it down because it was a health and safety hazard."It is amazing how easily something can be portrayed so negatively without first finding out the facts," Chin said.
Engineer–Grubbing took place
Nico Kersting, who made the video, said it was not simply bush being cut down but grubbing was taking place.The Free Online Dictionary describes grubbing digging up by the roots of plant and tree life.Kersting, who is from the Netherlands, said he is a civil engineer and has been living in T&T for the past 14 years.He said when land is being grubbed the next step is to lay a foundation.
"Last Friday I went to Invaders Bay for a research project looking at the sediment plume coming out of the Maraval River. This is when I noted the grubbing going on."The whole site had been cleared and grubbed in a matter of days. I filmed and made photos with my drone. I informed the EMA and I intend to go to them tomorrow (today)."Basically, I wonder if anybody even cares because that area had such an abundance of wildlife. I was really impressed," Kersting added.