182 new game wardens to be appointed
WITHIN the near future, 182 persons would be appointed as honorary game wardens and they would have all of the necessary legal powers to enforce the wildlife laws just like the State appointed game wardens, according to the Chief Game Warden Anthony Ramnarine during his inaugural address at the Hunters in Partnership with Conservation Symposium. The conference was held at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Centre, McBean, Couva yesterday and was intended to identify the pressing needs for the conservation of the country’s wildlife and to initiate actions to address these crucial needs. "A total of 152 would be posted to hot spot areas in Trinidad," said Ramnarine, "and 30 in Tobago, thus they would supplement the efforts of the present cadre of 19 game wardens in the Forestry Division." He said such an action is expected to make inroads into the prevention of illegal activities like poaching, trap gun setting and the illegal hunting of protected species. "In the latter case," remarked Ramnarine, "the ministry is especially resolved toward preventing the scourge of Scarlet Ibis hunting and the hunting of other protected species." Ramnarine spoke on behalf of the Public Utilities and Environment Minister Pennelope Beckles. Also attending the conference was the president of the Hunters’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago Buddie Miller, head of Wildlife in the Forestry Division, Nadra Nathai-Gyan, former Speaker in the House of Representatives Nizam Mohammed, the president of the South Hunters Group Winston Nanan and the former UNC Agriculture and Environment Minister Reeza Mohammed. Representatives from the South Hunters’ Group, the East Trinidad Hunters Association, the East St. George Hunters’ Group, the St Patrick Hunters’ Group and the Central Trinidad Hunters’ Group also attended the event. Ramnarine revealed that the designation of environmentally sensitive species is being done by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and designates species into this category based on their endangered status. "Already, the Manatee, the White-tailed Sabre winged Hummingbird and the Pawi have been declared. Five species of marine turtles, including the awe-inspiring Leatherback Turtle, are expected to be designated next," said Ramnarine. He disclosed that the Conservation of Wildlife Act is "outdated" and has been described by many people as being a hunting act. "The ministry is undertaking to review this legislation, taking into account a redrafted bill completed in 2001." Ramnarine said one of the primary benefits to be accrued from this redrafted bill would be the prescribing of stiffer penalties and fines." He said it is hoped that these penalties would be punitive enough to serve as a deterrent.
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"182 new game wardens to be appointed"