‘A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the souls if its people’ – Mahatma Gandhi
One hundred and seventy-seven (177) years ago on May 30th 1845, the first wave of East Indian immigrants arrived in the Port of Spain Harbour at the end of a treacherous trans-Atlantic journey on board the Fatel Razack ship. Brought from India to work in Trinidad to address the labour shortage in the post-emancipation period, the Indians coped with the harsh conditions of life and work on the sugar estates. These challenges were met with resilience, perseverance, and a determination to succeed in some way. Their determination and hard work drove them to forge great lives out of the little they had, which helped shaped...
Monitoring our biodiversity: Tracking Sea Turtles Worldwide
By Ms Alana Jute, Research Officer The month of May celebrates two auspicious days, World Biodiversity Day under its theme “Building a shared future for all life” on May 22nd and World Turtle Day, which is observed globally on May 23rd. Biodiversity describes the variety of all living organisms across all types of environments, land, rivers, lakes, and oceans, and extends to the complex interactions between life and the ecosystems in which they are found. These interactions provide for ecological functions which include the provision of oxygen, water, food, protection from flooding and storm surges, recreation, livelihoods, and economic well-being. According to a 2001 publication...
International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA2022): SMALL IN SCALE, BUT BIG IN VALUE
By Ms. Rosemarie Kishore, Deputy Director (Ag.) “Our small actions can have big impacts, like a ripple effect.” Small-scale fishing and aquaculture can bring food to one family and provides healthy nutrition to millions more. It brings value to all. Small-scale fishers and farmers also know what it means to preserve the balance in our ecosystems. But our livelihoods are at risk, now more than ever, we need to be resilient, include us in decisions that affect us, and we will adapt and innovate with the changing tide. We may be small scale, but our way of life will make a difference, and keep on...