Where is the foresight?

The exotic birds and animals such as ocelots and howler monkeys that exist among the trails of Tucker Valley, natural water courses, Edith Falls, the Golf course, the trails from the Golf Course to Macqueripe etc, are more than simple additions to the ecological paradise. The sounds of the howler monkeys dominate the breathable air, similar to the perennial cock on the farm early in the morning. The environment is always kept relaitvely clean.

This paradise of sorts is sought out by locals almost everyday (and more so on weekends) as a sanctuary from the madness that has descended on the country within the last decade or so. You can see hikers/walkers, runners, cyclists, golfers arriving in this part of the island every day of the week from as early as 5.30 am.

Therefore, given the above, why would someone consciously want to do something that will jeopardise this environment. Only those without foresight would believe that putting a housing development in Tucker Valley would not affect this environment.

If this madness is allowed to be perpetrated it will be only a matter of time before the bush fires rage unabated, the garbage heaps start to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, the ocelots and monkeys become extinct as they make their way into the tenants’ wild meat dishes and exercisers will find it less than peaceful and even downright dangerous to venture along the Macqueripe main road.

What is even more surprising is that Minister Rowley is not a stranger to that type of environment, both because he is a Tobagonian and more particularly because he is a regular visitor to that part of the island.

Are we really serious about the environment? Are we really serious about creating an environment that will reduce crime? Are we really looking at the holistic approaches to development or are statements made in that vein like all statements made by politicians, purely vacuous? Given what is going on in society today can we really afford not to preserve stress relievers?

Shouldn’t we be preserving this ecological paradise for the generation next while concomitantly opening up its beauty via field trips and excursions to the generation now?