SOME EXPERIENCES IN FOREST FINANCING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO by Seepersad Ramnarine Deputy Conservator of Forests

1. SOME EXPERIENCES IN FOREST FINANCING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGObySeepersad RamnarineDeputy Conservator of Forests

2. GREEN FUND • 0.1 % of Total Revenues of companies doing business in Trinidad and Tobago. • Paid into a Fund maintained by the Central Bank called the Green Fund Levy. • The Green Fund Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources administer the funds. • All NGOs, CBOs and now even Government Institutions can apply to the Unit to undertake environmental projects aimed at building up the environmental capital. • To date the fund has reached 2.7B TT. • $116M allocated to various projects in Trinidad with Nariva receiving close to $80M

3. NARIVA SWAMP SITE PREPARATION

4. ACHIEVEMENTS • 75HECTARES PLANTED WITH VARIOUS LOCAL SPECIES. • 11 COMMUNITY GROUPS TRAINED IN SITE PREPARATION, PLANTING AND STAKING AND FIRE PROTECTION • 8 GROUPS TRAINED IN NURSERY PRODUCTION

5. EXTERNAL SOURCES • GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY • ITTO (CAPACITY BUILDING) • FAO (CAPACITY BUILDING) • GEF SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME FOR VARIOUS NGOs AND CBOs. Capacity Building and Implementation of reforestation projects

6. INCENTIVE PROGRAMME FOR PRIVATE FORESTRY • Promotion of sustainable land use practices • Development and promotion of economically and ecologically viable forestry and agroforestry systems • Restoration of degraded private lands • Optimization of timber production on private lands • Generation of employment opportunities in rural /agricultural communities

7. INCENTIVES • The Incentive Programme commenced in 1997 with the provision of incentives to the private land owners who were willing to plant and maintain trees on their holdings • To date there are just under 2,000 registered farmers who are involved in the programme who have established over 3,000 ha of plantations.

8. INCENTIVES • MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ( 50% TO A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 (TT$) • VEHICLES (15% TO A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 • WATERSHED REHABILITATION (50% UP TO $2,500 PER HA) • NATURE TRAILS (15% UP TO $500 PER KM) • PERIMETER FIRE TRACES (20% UP TO $250 PER KM)

9. TURTLE PROTECTION PROGRAMME • This Programme commenced in the early 90’s with one group. Now expanded to several groups. • CBO’s and NGO’s protect various beaches at nights through patrols during the nesting season from March to August (6 months) • A stipend is paid per month to the various groups based on man power provided and nights worked

10. Turtle Patrols • The group enters into a contract with the Conservator of Forests to monitor activities in a special beach for a fixed sum. • The Wildlife Section with its cadre of Foresters, and Game Wardens and volunteers conduct spot checks at the various beaches

11. NATIONAL REFORESTATION AND WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROJECT (NRWRP)

12. REFORESTATION BY PRIVATE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES • Regularly Oil and Gas Companies clear forest areas for oil installations (Drill sites, road access) and pipeline corridors. • This results in forest destruction • No Net Loss policy • Within the last five years up to 184 hectares have been planted and maintained by CBOs who are contracted by the Companies

13. THANK YOU