Inspectors from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) are closely monitoring industrial activity in the Caroni Swamp and its potential impact on the protected eco-system. This is after the Authority stopped government financier Super Industrial Services (SIS) from continuing to backfill a portion of the swamp on the northern boundary of the Caroni River. The site cannot be seen from the Uriah Butler Highway but can be accessed by a road off the highway.
In an interview last week, chairman of the EMA Dr Allan Bachan said when he last visited the site someone had planted peas near the backfilled lands. Asked what remedial action the EMA could take against the company, Bachan said once the inspectors visited the area and prepared a report, a decision would be taken.
He said documents were also being prepared to ensure that squatters did not occupy the site. The company has since removed fencing from the site but hundreds of bags of sand remain on the property. SIS Director Terrence Lalla has offered no explanation as to why the lands were backfilled, saying he had no information to give. In an interview last week, environmentalist and head of the Papa Bois Conservation group Marc De Verteuil said once the wetland was lost it could not be replaced.
“Wetlands are sacrosanct for conservation. No development should be allowed in any wetlands. We should follow the lead of Panama which recently forbade the development of any kind in the wetlands, in the Panama City Bay area,” De Verteuil said. Asked whether he believed the company should be fined, De Verteuil said, “I think that whatever was done illegally they should be made to restore that or pay a severe fine.”
Plans to raise awareness
He said through his group he planned to raise awareness about the matter and lobby for a positive outcome. At a separate location, closer to Guayamare River, EMA inspectors last week visited the Trinant Investment Limited (TIL) project site which was backfilled late last year for real estate development. This project, situated at LP#16 Guayamare, off the Uriah Butler highway, is not situated in the swamp.
When the Guardian visited last week, barriers were erected alongside the Guayamare River to keep the dust out. Contractor General Earth Movers’ trucks were seen sprinkling water to prevent dust and a concrete drain was built around the backfilled property. Water trucks were also seen washing mud off the highway. On January 31, TIL was handed a violation notice by the EMA highlighting the company’s failure to utilise fencing, warning signs, construction hoardings and dust pallets.
“Evidence of sedimentation and erosion was noted on the northern, southern, eastern and western boundaries of the backfilled areas. To the northwestern boundary the waterway was blocked with trees and filled with sediment from the site,” the notice read. Bachan said a meeting was held with company officials on February 3, to discuss environmental concerns.
Concerns over sediments in river
“We indicated that we had serious concerns about sediment getting into the river. They promised to do everything possible to address the issues,” Bachan said. “We will continue to investigate the matter and make sure that the necessary measures are taken to ensure the protection of the environment.” However, he said, their efforts were being stymied by staff shortages.
In an interview last week, TIL’s chief operating officer Barry Tom Yew said the company was granted a CEC 2378/2008 on April 20, 2009, to establish infrastructure for commercial development. He said the contractor began backfilling the area for a real estate development.
Saying the project was not an illegal one, Tom Yew revealed that TIL had approvals from WASA, Town and Country Planning, Ministry of Works and Transport, Fire Services, Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation and the EMA.