ACHIEVEMENTS IN FOREST FINANCING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO by Seepersad Ramnarine Acting Conservator of Forests

1. ACHIEVEMENTS IN FOREST FINANCING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGObySeepersad RamnarineActing Conservator of Forests

2. PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME • 22 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS • REGENERATION (9) • PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS (1) • FIRE PROTECTION (1) • WETLANDS MANAGEMENT (1) • FORESTRY ACCESS ROADS ( 1) • CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICES (1) • OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND MOBILIZATION (1) • WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (1) • INVENTORY (1) • WATERSHED PLANNING AND RESEARCH (1) • RENOVATION OF CAURA RIVER FACILITIES (1) • RESTORATION OF COUNT DE LOPINOT HOUSE (1) • COMPUTERIZATION OF RECORDS (1) • SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY (1)

3. NEW TEAK PLANTATIONS 1990 TO 2011

4. NEW PINE PLANTATIONS 1990 TO 2011

5. Mixed Hardwood Plantations 1990 to 2011

6. Total new plantations established by the state

7. ALLOCATION FROM 2003 TO 2012

8. COMPARISON OF REGENERATION PROGRAMME VS TOTAL DEVELOPMENT BUDGET

9. INCENTIVE PROGRAMME FOR PRIVATE FORESTRY

10. 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

11. OBJECTIVES • 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

12. INCENTIVES • MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ( 50% TO A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 • 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)

13. COST OF INCENTIVES PER ANNUM

14. PRIVATE PLANTATIONS ESTABLISHED 1999 TO 2011

15. TURTLE PROTECTION PROGRAMME

16. Turtle Patrols • This Programme commenced in the early 80’s with one group at Matura Beach • 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

17. 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 • Within the last decade the programme has extended to several beaches from Matura and Rincon to Fishing Pond, Grand Riviere, Toco, Sans Souci, North Manzanilla Blanchisseuse and Nariva

18. COST OF TURTLE PATROLS PER ANNUM FROM 1990 TO 2011

19. TOTAL PAID VISITORS PER ANNUM FROM 2000 TO 2011

20. TURTLE COUNT BY YEAR FROM 2001 TO 2011

21. REVENUE PER ANNUM RE TURTLE VIEWING FROM 2000

22. NATIONAL REFORESTATION AND WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROJECT (NRWRP)

23. Mixed forests established by NRWRP 2005 to 2010

24. COST OF THE NRWRP PER ANNUM

25. REFORESTATION BY PRIVATE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES

26. SITUATION • 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

27. ACHIEVEMENTS • NATIONAL GAS COMPANY -141 HA • BHP BILLITON – 22 HA • BRITISH GAS – 21 HA • SPECIES USED CEDAR, MAHOGANY,CRAPPO, CYPRE, WHITE OLIVIER AND S0ME FRUIT TREES AS MANGO AND POMERAC

28. ACHIEVEMENTS • 26 HECTARES PLANTED • SPECIES USED WATER IMMORTELLE, BLOODWOOD, CRAPPO, • CAJUCA, HOGPLUM, WHITE OLIVIER, POIRIER, JUNIPER, BALATA • 11 COMMUNITY GROUPS TRAINED IN SITE PREPARATION, PLANTING AND STAKING AND FIRE PROTECTION • 8 GROUPS TRAINED IN NURSERY PRODUCTION

29. EXTERNAL SOURCES • GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY • ITTO (CAPACITY BUILDING) • FAO (CAPACITY BUILDING) • GEF SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME FOR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

30. THANK YOU