CDA chairman focuses on Gaspar Grande clean-up

Led by the Chairman of the CDA, Gupte Lutchmedial, a team comprising staff of the CDA, volunteers including the Island Homeowners of the Gaspar Grande Island and members of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago engaged in clean-up operations on the island.

While all eyes were on the Diego Martin area which was the first selected area under the campaign, the CDA was simultaneously engaged in a general clean up of the island and sprucing up of the entrance of the Gasparee Caves.

Lutchmedial was able to provide specifics on several of the activities undertaken during what turned out to be a two-day operation. “Over 500 metres of walkway leading to the entrance of the Gasparee Caves was brushcut and cleared, repairs were done to railings, some of the graffiti were cleaned and we carried out a general clean-up of the island,” said Lutchmedial. He added, “We picked up in the vicinity of 30 bags of litter from just the immediate environs of the caves.” Asked about the upkeep of the area following this concerted clean-up exercise, Lutchmedial raid, “A regular maintenance programme is in existence, but this must be supported by a change in our practices as it relate to disposal of litter and recycling must be part of the solution.” The CDA Chairman is calling for a better appreciation for this national heritage asset by the various users of the cave, making reference to the pride of place that is afforded to Harrison’s Caves in Barbados.

In sharing the CDA’s plan for the state of the peninsula, Lutchmedial stated, “The clean-up will be extended to all the islands and we intend to continue efforts already started at Chacachacare.

He reminded that earlier on in June 2016, for World Environmental Day, the Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis had participated in clean-up activities at Chacachacare.