Bio-diversity

The Parlatuvier Village Council s (PVC) mission is to enhance the livelihoods of the residents of Parlatuvier while conserving environmental resources and creating pride in our heritage. In 2010/2011 the PVC developed a 3 year Sustainable Community Action Plan (SCAP, Annex 5) with the help of our community members. The three year plan outlines economic development in the village based on sustainable resource use and organisational capacity building of community based organisations. Currently the PVC is implementing the first phase of this plan, funded by the CDF. The, hereby proposed, additional development of an eco edutainment trail at the Top River Waterfall is a perfect blend with the CDF funded activities and will assist with the protection of this already recreationally used area as well as create awareness amongst Parlatuvier s residents, the wider Tobago population and especially school children of the fragility and importance of riverine ecosystems on our island. The proposed project was discussed in the community for a several years; a recently held community meeting, facilitated by a UNDP, GEF, SGP planning grant (Final Report, Annex 4) confirmed the interest of community members in the project and their willingness to participate in its implementation. The goals of the project are: Increased awareness of the Parlatuvier Community and the Tobago public of the importance and vulnerability of riverine ecosystems. Increased capacity of the Parlatuvier Village Council to develop the community in a sustainable way. These goals shall be achieved by the establishment of an approx. 1 km long trail from the Main Road to the Top River Water Fall. Parking and toilets will be available at the Parlatuvier Community Centre; from there the visitors will pass the Parlatuvier Heritage Cuisine Site (CDF funded), cross the main road and access the trail through an arch with living plants and driftwood. An alley of native ornamental plants will lead the visitor from the arch to the start of the trail at the Top River bank. At a welcome shed visitors will receive a short briefing about the riverine eco system, tour guides can also be booked here. Along the trail interpretive signage, demonstration beds for POPs-free gardening, and bird feeders will be installed. At the waterfall a shed for rain protection and changing as well as two BBQ pits made from natural stone will be built. All soft construction will be made from natural material, blending in with the environment. The products from the demonstration beds (herbs, staple starches and plants for dying) will be used by the Heritage Cuisine Site and Heritage Shop developed under the CDF grant. The trail was designed (see Annex 6) by Caribbean Permaculture Consultants under the previous SGP planning grant and approved at the above mentioned community meeting. All used areas are on public land alongside the river. A 30-min. teaching lesson explaining the importance and vulnerability of riverine eco-systems in Trinidad and Tobago will be developed, copied as PPP on cd and distributed to 50 schools in Tobago. The lesson will also be used to teach visiting school children at the waterfall. An opening ceremony, including a Top River Waterfall drama, played by Parlatuvier Anglican School students, and an environmental treasure hunt will create further interest in the community and market the trail island wide. The capacity of the PVC to fulfil its mandate will be increased through the proposed project by: participatory project management and skill transfer in collaboration with a Technical Assistance Team; a mentorship programme aimed at conflict resolution, collaborative leadership, communication and membership motivation; and a skilled voluntourist developing and training two PVC members in administrative systems, membership care and accounting procedures. The total project cost is 83,125 USD of which 47,500 USD are requested from the UNDP, GEF, SGP and 35,625 USD (73.32 %) are in-kind contribution by the PVC, community members and the Technical Assistance Team.

Trinidad and tobago