Lambeau wetlands in trouble

Trinidad and Tobago is a third world country because it is underdeveloped. As such, any development once it doesn’t encroach on the environment negatively can be considered as good. One such development is the recent decision to cut and widen the Auchenskeoch/ Claude Noel Highway Junction. Many accidents had occurred at this junction, some of which have been fatal. Citizens have been urging the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to do something about the situation and the authorities have responded by undertaking the project recently. To me this is very good as it could help eradicate the vast number of accidents occurring in that area.

However, I have one great concern about this project. I have observed that material cut from the area is being transported to fill a part of the nearby Lambeau wetlands. The question may be asked, is there a Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment in the THA? How could the THA contribute to the destruction of this important wetland area of the island? We have a dump at Studley Park that needs dirt to cover the garbage there. Why can’t the trucks transport the material from the project to the garbage dump site?

The wetlands at Lambeau provide for both the economic and environmental well-being of the island. They provide a living for our fishermen and other persons. The wetlands clean out the toxins from the wastewater before it enters the sea. This is probably the most important function of the wetlands to the environment. An example of this is the wetlands at Buccoo, which act as a filter/purifier of all the sewage from the environs to help protect our world famous Buccoo Reef. Wetlands also serve as a habitat for a variety of animals and plants that are important to preserving and sustaining our environment. Some of these plants are mangroves and water lilies. Some animals are crabs and fishes.

In conclusion, I am enraged and disheartened at the decision to dump the landfill material from the Auchenskeoch project at the Lambeau wetlands and I call on the THA to deal with this situation now.

JEHU SAUNDERS
(Standard 5 Student)
Signal Hill Gov’t School

Tobago