Ramnarine awarded for his contribution to Agriculture

Ramnarine who currently holds the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment, recently ascended to this position after being Conservator of Forests and Chief Game Warden in the Forestry Division. He was responsible for managing the State’s forest estate, wildlife resources and national parks in Trinidad.

“Forests play a key role in all of our lives by providing the goods and services necessary for our welfare and survival. These include oxygen, water, timber, biodiversity, outdoor recreation and opportunities for spiritual growth and development,” he explained. His interest in forest conservation were to maintain adequate forest cover in order to ensure a healthy and quality environment for present and future generations. This involved controlling the cutting of trees and accelerating the rate of reforestation throughout the country, on both State and private lands.

Ramnarine recently embarked on an educational drive in order to ensure everyone learns to understand, appreciate and enjoy the delicate balance which exists in nature among plants, animals, man and the environment. Earlier this year the Forestry Division held a one-week exhibition toward this end, and forest officers continue to visit more schools to lecture, advise and assist on these themes.

Ramnarine is also an active member of the Dattatreya Yoga Centre, and has been assigned duties at the Aripo River Temple, located in the midst of the forest, by the India-based spiritual leader, Sadguru Sri Swami Ganapti Sachchidananda. He is also the Manager of Sri Swamiji’s Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra, which specialises in the performance of devotional music on the indigenous steel pan of Trinidad and Tobago.

On the basis of these responsibilities, it is clear that Ramnarine embraces the dual objectives of spirituality and the environment, serving God, nature and mankind in his pursuit of creating a better world for the benefit of all. He spent a lot of his time at the Dattatreya Yoga Centre and at the Aripo Temple. “Everyone in this country should visit the Aripo Temple. It is the most serene and beautiful place in the country. If you want to reflect and meditate then this is the ideal place to do it,” he said.

He told Newsday that he is indeed happy to receive the award and it is an inspiration to continue serving the country through his duty of the preservation of forestry in TT. He thanked the Mere Desh Committee for recognising his work saying that he did not expect to be honoured for the work he did since he considered it to be his duty.