156 Trees Planted In North Caura To Mark World Environment Day
One hundred and fifty-six trees were planted in North Caura on Thursday as the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Forestry Division marked World Environment Day with a symbolic commitment to environmental protection.
The figure represents the combined years of service of the two organisations and comes amid growing focus on the role forests can play in helping Trinidad and Tobago respond to the effects of climate change.
The initiative also recognised the Forestry Division’s upcoming 125th anniversary and the EMA’s 31 years of environmental stewardship.
For Minister of Homeland Security and Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, Roger Alexander, preserving the environment requires greater public awareness and a shared commitment to protecting natural spaces before damage occurs.
« Are we putting enough information out there so that the man in the car wouldn’t just fling his cigarette butt onto the highway and cause a fire straight up on the hill? Do we do these things? Are we giving the public enough information to remove them from that type of behaviour? »
Managing Director of the Environmental Management Authority, Dr. Joth Singh, says nature itself must form part of the solution.
« Nature-based solutions is something that has become very, very topical in terms of how small island developing states can deal with the effects of climate change. And I think we all recognise that we are not responsible for climate change. We emit less than one per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, but we are feeling the brunt of climate change. »
Among the species planted were cedar and mahogany, selected for their ecological value and long-term contribution to forest health.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ravi Ratiram says the significance of the exercise extends well beyond the trees themselves.
« Today, as we plant these 150-plus six trees, we are also planting a vision of the future. A future where environmental sustainability is embedded in our developmental agenda. A future where biodiversity is protected and valued. »
The event also highlighted the growing importance of forests in strengthening climate resilience.
