Bio-diversity

The island of Trinidad, despite its natural beauty, does not have an extensive tourist industry. However, the potential exists to make tourism a vibrant, lucrative and eco-sustainable industry for the inhabitants of Trinidad. The Toco Foundation, a multicultural Foundation for integrated development, an NGO founded in 1991, presents a plan to develop the county of St. David through ecotourist project which would generate employment, be sensitive to the local customs and ecology of the region, and promote national environmental awareness. It is hoped that the project will gain national attention as an alternative model for economic and social development. Activities to be undertaken in the project include training in food preparation and catering, acquisition of equipment and material for starting up the project activities (such as tools, signage, computer and printer, promotional material, and a radio communication system), establishment of nature trails, visitor facilities and sites for tour activities, identification of community members who are extremely knowledgeble of the area`s biodiversity to participate in much needed inventories of the area`s flora and fauna, strengthening community participation through a pilot micro-credit programme, provision of technical expertise, and assistance in the acquisition of a vehicle to enable the members of the Foundation to have a reliable transportation system in the project area. The project was revised to include the Balandra waterfall site, along with the three previous sites selected, viz. Simon Kayay rock formation, T Bay - Sans Souci and Harris waterfall - Basin Galop. Each of the 4 sites would now be coordinated by a designated TF member. Site tours and income generation activities were initiated.

Trinidad and tobago