POLICIES

The following six (6) key policies have direct relevance to protected areas and biodiversity management:

1. The National Environmental Policy
2. Draft Forest Policy of Trinidad and Tobago
3. National Policy and Programmes on Wetland Conservation for Trinidad & Tobago (National Wetlands Policy)
4. A National Tourism Policy for Trinidad and Tobago
5. Draft National Water Resources Policy.
6. Policy for the Establishment and Management of a National Park System in Trinidad and Tobago

The National Environmental Policy (June 1998)
This policy was prepared as a requirement of the Environmental Management Act 1995. This policy was designed to promote the conservation and wise use of the environment of Trinidad and Tobago, to provide for the needs of present and future generations and enhance the quality of life. Chapter 3 - Protection of Natural Resources, of this policy directs the government to set up a system of protection for parts of the environment that are determined to be of great importance to the sustenance of life, to science, the country or the international community. The Government will establish a system of protection for environmentally sensitive species of animals and plants which scientific evidence or international treaties to which Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory suggest are endemic, endangered or vulnerable. The following summary of activities have been proposed in this policy document:

1. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) to be declared for wise use of the environment and promotion of better appreciation of environment by citizens.
2. Species, which are endemic, endangered or vulnerable to be declared Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS).
3. Integrated coastal planning and management to be institutionalised to protect Coastal & Marine areas through.
   
   
   1. Protected Areas
   2. Avoiding ecosystem degrading developments, including setbacks
   3. Pollution reduction
   4. Restricted sand mining
   5. Stakeholder participation
      
      
4. Manage forests for direct and indirect benefits therefore:
   
   
1. Encourage sustainable use
2. Prevent conversion of forest reserves and maintain forest cover
3. Maintain strictly protected forests
   
   
5. Manage wetlands to maintain critical ecological functions and sustainable benefits:
   
   
   1. No net loss of wetlands in development
   2. Preserve representative samples in protected areas
   3. Restoration of degraded wetlands
   4. Reduce impacts on wetlands
   5. Pursue the Ramsar process

6. The protection and wise use of ground and surface water resources:
   
   
   1. Protection from discharges of hazardous substances
   2. Develop measures to ensure that waters in sensitive areas are protected.

Forest Policy of Trinidad and Tobago (1998…..not yet ratified by Cabinet)
The overall purpose of this policy is to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, forest management for optimum combinations of productive, protective, recreational, aesthetic, scientific and educational benefits, and to contribute to the national economy and livelihoods. In terms of national parks and other protected areas, the policy requires the protection in perpetuity of those areas of the country which represent significant examples of the country’s natural heritage and encourage public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the heritage in ways which leave it unimpaired for future generations. The strategies identified included:

1. Provision of recreational and educational opportunities in forest areas
2. Construct amenity facilities to enhance the recreational experience
3. Enactment of legislation for parks and other protected areas
4. Conservation of unique and representative flora, fauna, geology, landscapes, archaeology and other intrinsic features
5. Promote participatory management of parks with local communities and interest groups.

In terms of wildlife management, the policy prescribes the facilitation of the development and adoption of appropriate wildlife habitat and species management plans to produce stable ecosystems and populations. The strategies identified included:

1. Conservation of natural habitats
2. Recover to a secure status all wildlife species threatened with extinction
3. Manage habitats and migratory wildlife species for their intrinsic, scientific and recreational value.

National Policy and Programmes on Wetland Conservation for Trinidad & Tobago (2002)
This policy was developed to help manage the threats to wetlands and requires that the government protect, manage and restore wetlands in order to sustain and enhance their ecological and socio-economic values and function for current and future generations. The major objectives related to protected areas include the:

1. The encouragement of public protection of outstanding examples of wetlands in private ownership
2. Inclusion of outstanding examples of each type of wetland in the national system of national parks and other protected areas
3. Encouragement of the management of all privately owned wetlands to promote the protection of their functions
4. Promotion of the use of publicly protected wetlands as demonstration examples for science, education and awareness
5. Integration of management of wetlands with watershed and catchment area management.

A National Tourism Policy for Trinidad and Tobago (2001)
This policy was developed to guide tourism development in the country. The objectives of this policy include inter alia, to enhance, protect, and preserve the natural and social environment. Under the section on Environmental Protection, the government is required to collaborate with the appropriate organisations to address improper industrial practices and ensure policing of coastal waters at reefs and beaches, to prevent improper practices, such as sand mining, reef walking, improper waste disposal, and the pollution of rivers and swamp habitats by unfriendly agricultural and manufacturing entities.

The policy further notes that in an effort to alleviate the stress on the environment, certain areas in Tobago will be restricted and a valid permit needed to access others. The designated restricted areas include:

1. Little Tobago – permit required
2. The waterfalls around the island
3. The rainforest
4. All dive sites around Tobago.

Draft National Water Resources Policy (2002)
The draft policy is currently awaiting Cabinet approval. Its goals include among others, the integration of water resources management to contribute to sustainable development, and the protection of environmental quality and ecological systems. Some of the key activities proposed under watershed management are:

1. Prevention of conversion of forest reserve to other uses
2. Protection of critical watershed areas including source protection, restoration, conservation, flood buffers, slope stabilisation, intake protection, sedimentation reduction
3. Establishment of zoned uses for critical watersheds
4. Promotion of ecologically and technologically appropriate agro-forestry, soil conservation, reforestation
5. Development of approaches to control negative practices like quarrying and deforestation
6. Development of a programme to address non-point pollution from storm water, agricultural runoff, septic tanks.

Policy for the Establishment and Management of a National Park System in Trinidad and Tobago (1980)
The purpose of this policy is to provide a course of action for programmes concerned with the protection of the country’s natural heritage and the provision of outdoor recreation activities. It incorporates and integrates the intent of Government policy in a number of related areas including environment, conservation, forestry, tourism and recreation as it relates to the National Park System. The policy identifies the deficiencies in the exiting legislation to protect the country’s national resources and provides the basis for legislation necessary to provide a clear mandate to protect and properly use the outstanding natural heritage areas of the country. The policy proposes the establishment of System of National Parks and Protected Areas in Trinidad and Tobago within the context of the following six (6) categories of management:

1. Scientific Reserves
2. National Parks
3. Natural Landmarks
4. Nature Conservation Reserves
5. Scenic Landscapes
6. Recreation Parks

The units within the system were to be established by Presidential proclamation and be the property of the State with management plans, regulations and penalties to be established.

STRATEGIES

The two major strategies that have been developed in which policy direction is incorporated are the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Draft Wildlife Strategic Plan.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) which was passed by Cabinet (2001) addresses the issues affecting biological diversity in Trinidad and Tobago, in the context of sustainable use and conservation. The NBSAP calls for the implementation of the necessary legal framework in order to protect the country’s natural resources and recognizes the need for capacity building, research, conservation, wise-use of resources, education and public awareness. Priority actions identified in the NBSAP related to protected areas include:

Draft Wildlife Strategic Plan

The Forestry Division’s Wildlife Section developed a draft strategic plan, which provides a clear direction for the Section with respect to the management of game species, threatened species, over-abundant species and threatened species