Bio-diversity

The Gwan Riviere Restoration Team (GRRT) is comprised of men and women from the Grand Bay community. The team encourages membership and support from the general public. The team was formed primarily to undertake projects geared at preserving Grand Bay s biodiversity and cultural heritage, within the boundaries of a Bio Park. The GRRT has put in place a Project Management Team responsible for ensuring the implementation, devotion and completion of the project activities. This management team which comprise of men and women, will be on the ground from the start of the project to give full support and attention to details the project activities. Members of this team are not gainfully employed and have promised to devote their time to the initiative. This management team is headed by Mr. Ted Douglas and ably assisted by a deputy, Mr. Shem Jacob. The Bio Park supports the preservation of biodiversity and capacity building in relation to the GEF/SGP Programme. The project will seek to: 1. To protect the habitat of wild ducks (Anas discors) locally called Kana Sovaj. 2. To plant more Zanman or Indian Almond trees (Terminalia catappa) whose edible nuts is utilized by women in the community to create a sugary cake locally called Loga. The group plans to brand this cake and to market it locally, regionally and internationally. 3. To build an office on site for the dissemination of information. 4. To build huts which can be rented to tourists and visitors who want to stay over to view the birds, for relaxation, to partake in traditional culture, for wellness and to enjoy the scenery. 5. To create an awareness of the ecology and tourism potential of the area 6. To create sustainable employment for women and men of Grand Bay. 1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS The project seeks to address the problem of protection of the habitat of wild ducks ( Anas discors) locally called Kana Sovaj, which use three ponds in the area to feed, within a Bio Park. These pond have been encroached on by villagers who continue to destroy the habitat by cutting trees, disposing solid waste and tethering livestock around the ponds. The project seeks to protect the wild ducks and their habitat and Grand Bay s bio diversity, by getting the public to become aware of their importance in eco tourism/ bird watching, wellness, economic development and to be part of the preservation process. The project lends itself well to being part of the national eco tourism thrust of Ministry of Trade. The project area will be one of the scenic spots, especially in the niche areas of bird watching, cultural or community tourism and wellness. Visitors will be able to choose herbs from a traditional herbal garden, which they can use for bathing in the estuary of the Gwan Riviere river. These types of baths called Bain Boushwi, is traditionally believed to assist with relaxation and wellness. Information on the uses of these herbs will be provided in print for visitors. The area is one of the six (6) areas in Dominica under the investment strategies and development plan of government. It will give support to the National Trail Project, segment 2 which passes through Grand Bay. Users of the trail will be invited to visit the Gwan Riviere Bio Park, to spend a day in traditional relaxation,cultural performances, imbibing in drinks and cuisine or foods produced organically within the park. The Bio Park is also linked to Pointe des Fou one of (3) three critical ecosystem sites in Dominica. Bird watchers will be targeted locally, regionally and internationally to view the Frigate, locally called Twawou, crabs and a wide species of tropical and migratory birds which nests in the crevices of this pristine and protected environment. GRRT will develop boat tours and trail walk to view these wildlife. Point Carib, is another historic area which adds to the value of the Bio Park. There, visitors can have a commanding view of the C- shaped bay, Grand Bay. They can take pictures of the community and Point Defou in the distance. And view Martinique from a distance. Martinique can also be seen from seashore of the Bio Park. And one can imagine the heights of Morne Anglaise in Dominica and Mount Pele in Martinique as they face each other as island monuments of history and culture. The Bio Park benefits from the flow of Gwan Riviere and underground streams and ponds formed by Morne Anglaise. The Pierre Charles Secondary and Primary Schools in Grand Bay, Fond St Jean, Bagatelle, Tete Morne, will find a wealth of information within the Gwan Riviere Bio Park: science, social studies, agricultural classes in organic farming, bio diversity, will be a benefit from visits. Ganwan Riviere Bio Park, twining with Gwan Riviere a French community in Martinique which faces Grand Bay, for cultural exchanges and cultural activities in a traditional setting, is important for giving awareness to the Park. It will also encourage and re-establish historical trade and commerce. It will also seek to invite French visitors to view the site. A website, Facebook, Tweeter and availability of internet access for visitors within the Bio Park will marry technology and traditional cultural preservation. These social media will place the Park within international reach. These will be updated daily with new morning scenes, activities and visits. Contacts and information about the project will be available on brochures. The project will be further developed by the planting and caring of more tree

Dominica