IMA-NGC Convened a Successful Community Stakeholder Meeting
The Institute of Marine Affairs, in partnership with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC), held a community meeting at the Roystonia Community Centre, Couva on January 21, 2025. Under the IMA-NGC Stakeholder Engagement – Mangrove Rehabilitation and Restoration Project, which primarily aims to restore and conserve mangrove coverage in Carli Bay, the first community meeting was held to impart knowledge on the significance of mangrove forests and to solicit feedback and input from the community on issues and concerns relating to mangrove conservation in the area.
One of several activities that will be undertaken under the Mangrove Rehabilitation and Restoration Project, this maiden community meeting brought together representatives from the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation. Government agencies (Forestry Division and Environmental Management Authority), non–governmental agencies (CANARI, Ecosystem Approaches), religious organisations and the community.
A KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) survey was administered to participants to gather information, opinions and actions on mangrove conservation in the area. The data gathered from the survey will enable the IMA to identify knowledge gaps and/or misconceptions about mangrove forests. Based on the feedback and participant responses, public education and awareness campaigns, targeting the community and schools in the area, will be designed and implemented to fill the knowledge gaps while enabling the communities to participate in mangrove restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
Building on the NGC Reforestation Programme, the IMA has partnered with NGC to rehabilitate mangrove forest in the vicinity of Carli Bay. This area is being targeted owing to the significant amount of mangrove dieback reported in the area over the past 5 years. The IMA Deputy Director Research, Dr. Rahanna Juman, stated that ‘Mangrove rehabilitation activities do not always equate to planting mangrove trees but may require removing the stressors that give rise to the ongoing loss of mangroves, and include restoring the natural hydrological regime in the area. She was supported by Ms. Ramkissoon, a Senior Technical Officer attached to CANARI and participant, who underscored the organisation’s support for stakeholder engagement, stewardship of natural resources and commitment to mobilising and engaging communities to participate.
Restoring mangroves is a nature-based solution for building the resilience of coastal communities against the impacts of climate change.