Agriculture Minister engages South hunters

“Be out, be seen, be available to provide the support,” was the Minister’s mandate to Officers of the Forestry Division and the Police Service’s Praedial Larceny Squad as the opening of the Hunting Season fast approaches.

He noted that officers need to be “out, criss-crossing Trinidad and Tobago; [we must see] everyone on the ground, across the country, taking responsibility for forest management and wildlife hunting.” Rambharat in his feature address said that he was “very happy to see fewer people than last year at the seminar, because over the last year, I have sent a very clear signal around the country on how we as a Government intend to deal with wildlife conservation on the whole and hunting in particular.” He shared with the audience the work of the Ministry over the last year and plans for the next year, which included: a review of the moratorium on hunting, which ended on September 30, 2015; particularly that any changes in hunting had to be discussed with the country and key stakeholders, with the first of such public consultations being hosted in November; an outline of the work of the Steering Committee, particularly the resultant recommendation for legislative changes in relation to fines/ penalties; and management and oversight for wildlife conservation and hunting.

He also said that the re-introduction of the honorary game wardens, who as active hunters have a vested interest in protecting the wildlife was a vital part of the Ministry’s plan to conserving the country’s rich natural resources. He also spoke of the establishment of the Wildlife Conservation Committee.

The Minister assured that hunting has been sustainably carried out in Trinidad and Tobago for a very long time and hunting is an important economic activity.

Other speakers included Dr Reza Mohammed who said in his presentation that, “hunting is a passion”, and Mohan Bholasingh, President of the South Eastern Hunters Association. The South Eastern Hunters Association continues its thrust in education and conservation with the hosting of this its 30th annual seminar. The day’s activities included lectures and demonstration on the negative and positive impacts of our wildlife by qualified persons in the field.

Also present were representatives from the South Hunters Association; Forestry Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; and twenty (20) students of the Cadet Tableland High School.