Scarlet Ibis under siege

The FFOS says this threatens the status of National Bird, the Scarlet Ibis. FFOS explained via a media release that recent development in the El Socorro South wetlands has resulted in the clearance of large portions of mangroves and accused the EMA of sleeping on the job.

“Today habitat removal is affecting the interconnected mangrove/ sea-grass/lagoon wetland ecosystems and the EMA are once again sleeping on themselves. This is clearly observed in the El Socorro South Extension Wetlands, off the Uriah Butler Highway (with the suspected 15,000 acres missing Caroni lands) and in lesser known but critically important Scarlet Ibis nesting areas such as the Aripero Wetlands in Rousillac.” The release went on to state that for the past nine months construction teams and bulldozers have continued to degrade the landscape in an around the Rousillac wetlands and questioned why such blatant violations of the National Environmental Environmental Plan and the Environmental Management Act have gone unpunished.

“Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) are again doing our EMA/Government’s work and asking publicly why have there not been any investigations or arrest?” Newsday understands that natural passageways for the overflow of water from the Aripero pond and the remainder of the water drained and redirected. The Aripero pond is a nationally recognized freshwater marsh and a nesting ground for the Scarlet Ibis. The FFOS warned that unless the EMA intervenes in the matter, the effect of continued development along the Aripero pond in Rousillac could result in disastrous consequences for the environment.