Aripo Savannah under threat from illegal quarries

ACCORDING TO a well-placed source, the Aripo Savannah, a world renowned environmental area, is under threat from two illegal quarries in Valencia and Tapana run by a religious organisation. “The quarries are expanding rapidly,” he said, “for they are only five to six miles away and unless the State stops them, they will be in Aripo by next year.” He said the Aripo Savannah is a prohibited area under law and would be utterly destroyed if the two quarries are allowed to operate within its boundaries. “The sensitive areas would be destroyed,” he warned.

He alleged that the Tapana and Valencia quarries were not the only such mining ventures being operated by the fundamentalist organisation. “They are currently operating five to seven illegal quarries,” he said, “some of them on State lands and some on private lands. And if any of the private landowners try to oppose them, they would threaten them with guns and physical violence.” He claimed the Ministry of Energy and police tried unsuccessfully last year to close down the Tapana and Valencia quarries.

“The Guard and Emergency Branch and the Arima police seized an excavator and a truck in Block 5 in the Valencia quarry, but when the matter was heard in the Arima Magistrates’ Court the next day, a ministry official appeared in court with documents which said the equipment belonged to the religious group.” He said the equipment was returned to the fundamentalist organisation the very same day. He said the Minerals Act must be amended to allow energy inspectors to have more power to enforce the Act against illegal mining on State and private lands.