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World Bank Document GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RP679 vol. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Public Disclosure Authorized NARIVA SWAMP RESTORATION INITIATIVE (NSRI) Public Disclosure Authorized DEVELOPMENT OF A REFORESTATION SCHEME AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS SOCIAL IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF THE NARIVA SWAMP. SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Final Report Public Disclosure Authorized Submitted by: THE TROPICAL RE-LEAF FOUNDATION Public Disclosure Authorized P.O. BOX 4424, St. Ann’s Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago March 2008 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Several persons and organisations that provided valuable assistance and advice in the preparation of this Reforestation Scheme are hereby acknowledged: From the Environmental Management Authority: Dr. John Agard (Chairman), Ms. Robyn Cross and Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Technical Coordinators) and Mr. Gerard Alleng (Consultant Project Coordinator) From the Forestry Division: Mr. Anthony Ramnarine (Conservator of Forests), Ms. Nadra Gyan (Director Wildlife Division), Mr. David Boodoo (Senior Game Warden), Mr. Pretam Khemraj (Game Warden), Mr. Roopnarine Singh (Forester I – Private and Community Forestry), Ms. Barbara Scobie (Draughtsman) Mr. Gerald McVorran, (Chair, National Wetlands Committee) and other members of the National Wetlands Committee. From the Ministry of Agriculture: Mr. Ian Fletcher (Ag. Officer II, Department of Land Administration), Mr. Timothy Sutchit (Ag. Assistant II, El Reposo Demonstration Centre), Mr. Mohan Lookhoor (Ag Assistant II, Rio Claro Agricultural Extension Office), Ms. Anne Marie Medina, (Deputy Director, Land and Water Development Division), Mr. Frankie Balkissoon, (Agricultural Engineer, Land and Water Development Division), Mr. Ronald Bryce (Hydrologist, Land and Water Development Division), Ms. Mala Powdher (Agricultural Engineer, Land and Water Development Division). From Fisheries Division: Ms. Sherry Pierre (Aquaculture Officer) From the Central Statistical Office: Ms. Carol Salim (Senior Statistician) From the Manatee Conservation Trust: Mr. Guptee Lutchmedial Various local community organisations: Plum Mitan/Biche Farmers Group, Kernahan Improvement Committee, Kernaham Farmers Association, Biche United Sports and Cultural Club, Plum Mitan Village Council, Nariva Environmental Trust (NET), Villagers Organised in Conservation of the Environment (VOICE), and Southeast Ecotours. Nariva Reforestation Scheme Social Impact Assessment March 2008 Table of Contents 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 7 2. Project Description ......................................................................................................... 7 3. Legal and Institutional Framework for Management of Nariva Swamp.................. 8 3.1. International Agreements.......................................................................................... 8 3.1.1. Ramsar Convention........................................................................................... 8 3.1.2. CITES ............................................................................................................... 9 3.1.3. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) .............................................. 9 3.1.4. Framework Convention on Climate Change................................................... 10 3.1.5. The SPAW Protocol........................................................................................ 11 3.1.6. The IUCN Red List......................................................................................... 12 3.2. National Legislation................................................................................................ 12 3.2.1. State Lands Act, Chapter 57:01 ...................................................................... 12 3.2.2. The Forests Act, Chapter 66:01 ...................................................................... 13 3.2.3. The Conservation of Wildlife Act, Chapter 67:01.......................................... 13 3.2.4. Environmental Management Act of 2000 (EM Act) ...................................... 13 3.3. Relevant Institutions ............................................................................................... 14 4. Socio-economic Baseline Conditions ........................................................................... 15 4.1. Study Area.............................................................................................................. 16 4.2. Settlements.............................................................................................................. 16 4.3. Population and Demographics ................................................................................ 19 4.4. Economic Activities and Employment ................................................................... 21 4.4.1. National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme ............... 23 4.5. Agricultural Activities............................................................................................ 24 The Tropical Re-Leaf Foundation Nariva Reforestation Scheme Social Impact Assessment March 2008 4.6. Land Use/Tenancy.................................................................................................. 29 4.7. Infrastructure........................................................................................................... 31 4.7.1. Social and Community Services ..................................................................... 31 4.7.2. Utilities............................................................................................................ 34 4.7.3. Protective Services.......................................................................................... 34 4.7.4. Accessibility and Transport ............................................................................ 35 4.8. Culture/Heritage...................................................................................................... 37 4.9. Community Organisations...................................................................................... 37 4.9.1. Customs/Attitudes........................................................................................... 39 4.9.2. Concerns and Expectations............................................................................. 40 5. Impacts........................................................................................................................... 41 5.1. Positive.................................................................................................................... 41 5.1.1. Creation of Employment Opportunities.......................................................... 41 5.1.2. Restoration of Wildlife Habitats..................................................................... 42 5.1.3. Reduction in Bush Fires.................................................................................. 43 5.1.4. More Disciplined Land Management ............................................................. 43 5.1.5. Carbon Sequestration...................................................................................... 44 5.2. Negative .................................................................................................................. 44 5.2.1. Compulsory Removal of Agricultural Squatters............................................. 44 5.3. Potential Loss of Livelihood (income) ................................................................... 46 5.4. Impacts Summary................................................................................................... 46 6. Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................................... 47 6.1. Relocation/Redistribution of Land.......................................................................... 47 6.2. Creation of Employment Opportunities.................................................................. 49 6.2.1. Planting, Tending and Fire Protection ............................................................ 49 6.2.2. Nursery Operations......................................................................................... 50 6.2.3. Public Awareness............................................................................................ 50 The Tropical Re-Leaf Foundation Nariva Reforestation Scheme Social Impact Assessment March 2008 6.2.4. Drainage Maintenance Operations.................................................................. 50 6.2.5. Nariva-Specific Game Warden Programme ................................................... 51 6.2.6. Fire Guardians................................................................................................. 51 6.2.7. Research and Monitoring................................................................................ 51 6.3. Alternative Livelihood Options .............................................................................. 52 6.3.1. Community-based Ecotourism Activities....................................................... 52 6.3.2. Aquaculture..................................................................................................... 53 6.4. Co-Management of Natural Resources................................................................... 53 6.5. Mitigation Management Plan.................................................................................. 54 7. Monitoring Plan ...........................................................................................................
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