He made the comments yesterday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 11-member board held at the seventh floor boardroom, NALIS, Port-of-Spain.

“So as you go about your work and you take it into consideration, I don’t want to talk about morals, we have moved away from censoring films to more rating, last film was banned in Trinidad and Tobago was The Last Temptation of Christ.” The Martin Scorsese film, which features Jesus Christ coming off the cross and marrying Mary Magdalene, was also banned in Greece, Turkey, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina.

Cuffie said, “Since then we have not been banning films. Still we need to understand that film content does have an impact. And we need to ensure that the films are shown to the appropriate audiences. And that is part of your job…

to ensure that we have the right framework for viewing film content and I entreat you to go about your job with alacrity and industry and I would like to hope that at the end of the term you have the same number of members that we have here today and we do not have the normal attrition that begins after a few months.” He reported that when appointed, the last board consisted of 15 members and then very shortly there were seven resignations.

He explained that they took a different route to this board than any other previously as each member was called individually and told of the level of work that would be expected.

He also said the new board would be tasked with the opportunity to look at the existing legislation and to see how the legislation can fit the challenge of looking at the film industry.

New board chairman Ingrid Jahra, also CEO of Giant Screen Entertainment Limited (IMAX), told reporters following the swearing- in that she would like to maintain the number on the board and schedule the screenings in a way that all the board members would watch films equitably.

Asked when the first meeting would be Jahra responded that she expected it would be soon.

The other members of the board are: Shea Best, Natasha Boodha, Dion Boucaud, Tammy Cato, Anisa Duncan, Brian Joseph, Mark Joseph, Ellen-Marie Lewis-Bynoe, Rebecca Robinson and Richard Teelucksingh.

After making this comment and expressing her condolences to the family of Jesse Beephan, Persad-Bissessar scoffed at Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi’s statements about how this bill would improve the criminal justice system.

Reiterating the Opposition’s argument that crime in TT is always higher under the People’s National Movement (PNM), Persad-Bissessar declared, “I believe we have already fallen off the slippery slope.” Observing that former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj now appears to be an “assistant hangman” to the Government, Persad- Bissessar said, “I believe it is time for another (commission of) inquiry into the justice system.” In October 2000, a commission of inquiry into the administration of justice had cleared Maharaj, of interference into the independence of the Judiciary. Persad- Bissessar and Maharaj were Cabinet ministers in the then Basdeo Panday administration.

While saying a properly worked out plea agreement system would improve the criminal justice system, Persad-Bissessar said the system’s circuits were overloaded and, “the justice system has collapsed.”

National Olympian Njisane Phillip will be getting stiff competition from the like of former Pan Am gold medallist and twotime Olympian Hersony Canelon from Venezuela, Sol Angie Roa of Colombia and Eoin Mullen from Ireland. Other top local riders scheduled to compete are Quincy Alexander and Teneil Campbell This country continues to strive to gain a reputation in the cycling world and this year’s three-day affair is likely to be its biggest Easter event with the theme “Where speed meets paradise”. The Grand Prix pedals off at the Arima Velodrome from April 14-15 and and at the National Cycling Centre on April 17.

The Easter International Grand Prix is sanctioned by the UCI (International Cycling Union) and this year has gained a higher rating of UCI Class I & II Events, making it even more attractive to foreign cyclists.

Speaking after the event’s official media launch yesterday at the National Cycling Centre, president of TTCF, Robert Farrier said, “The event sees cyclists, both locally and internationally, ranging from ages five to 75 competing in various competitions, held at both cycling venues located in Trinidad.” He added, “This is a product we are trying to evolve in order to generate public support. The facility (in Arima) is designed to create an exhilarating atmosphere as the track is smaller and everything is faster so we’re in for some exciting races.” The Arima Velodrome is a mainstay for track cyclists throughout the Caribbean as the 460m concrete track with 20 degree banks has been the home of a number of epic battles. The Elite Men Sprint and the Elite Men Omnium are registered as UCI Class I events while the Elite Men Keirin, Elite Women Sprint & Keirin, Junior Men Sprints, Junior Women 500m TT and Elite Men Scratch events are registered as UCI Class II. Cyclist are eagerly anticipating gaining valuable UCI points towards their World Cup and World Championships qualification.

Participating countries over the Easter weekend include Antigua, Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Great Britain, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Suriname, USA, Venezuela and host country Trinidad and Tobago.

The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, SporTT Company of Trinidad and Tobago, NLCB, Confederacion Panamericana, UCI, Dasani and Cole & Associates Engineered Safety Systems Limited.

The tournament starts at 5 pm on both days at the Arima Velodrome and consists of two sessions (morning 10am/afternoon 5pm) at the National Cycling Centre. Admission is set at $50 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years. Entry is free for the morning session on Easter Monday.

This game was the second of three practice matches for Trinidad and Tobago, ahead of the Hockey World League Round Two competition, at the Tacarigua venue, from March 25 to April 2.

In Tuesday’s game, Marcano netted via a penalty corner to guarantee the win for the hosts.

Marcano could have doubled his lead in the second half, but his penalty stroke went wide.

TT, who defeated Barbados 3-0 in their first warm-up game on Monday, will tackle the United States today from 10.15 am.

At the Hockey World League Round Two, Trinidad and Tobago will be in Pool B, alongside Japan, Russia and Switzerland, while Pool A will feature Barbados, Canada, Chile and the US.

Emrit has been overlooked since missing out on the start of the season on November 11 after deciding to take his talents to the Bangladesh Premier League. Emrit, a former captain, has taken 171 first class wickets from 83 matches and is a useful lower order batsman with three centuries and five half-centuries at an average of 19.14. At 36 years old, Emrit’s experience is desperately needed on a team currently struggling in a transition period.

The Red Force are once again toiling in this format, currently fifth in the six-team table with two wins and four defeats and only five points ahead of last-placed Windward Islands.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Emrit declared: “Always a pleasure and good feeling to represent the Red Force. It’s the first four day game for the season for me so I’m looking to keep my spot and hopefully we can get some good results from this game going forward.” Emrit believes, the Red Force youngsters need a bit of guidance throughout the season and is hoping to fill that void.

“Obviously my experience (will help). The last game (against Guyana Jaguars), we lacked a bit of experience in the bowling department even though the bowling did well. With my all-round ability with the bat, I’ll try and score some runs in the lower order. If I can do that and help the captain (Kyle Hope) with my experience, hopefully we can get the result that we need.” Emrit, asked if competing at the Bangladesh Premier League, Also boosting the pace department is Jamaican left-armer Sheldon Cottrell who was injured for the last round. Opening batsman Jeremy Solozano, dropped for round seven, is back in the TT squad.

Batsmen Evin Lewis and Jason Mohammed were ruled out from selection since they are in Barbados preparing with the West Indies team for the T20 series against Pakistan. Exciting 20-year-old bowling all-rounder Anderson Phillip has been retained in the squad after making his debut against the Guyana Jaguars in the previous round.

Jamaica are coming off an embrassing defeat to the Leeward Islands Hurricans ina low scoring affair at Sabina Park. Jamaica were bowled out for 56 in the first innings and managed just 114 in their second turn at the crease.

Red Force squad: Kyle Hope (captain), Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Nicholas Alexis, Imran Khan, Rayad Emrit, Sheldon Cottrell, Steven Katwaroo, Marlon Richards, Bryan Charles, Khary Pierre, Isaiah Rajah, Anderson Phillip.

Jamaica Scorpions squad: Nikita Miller (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Andre McCarthy, Marquino Mindley, Paul Palmer Jr, Rovman Powell, Devon Thomas, Oraine Williams, John Campbell, Fabian Allen, Derval Green.

“Two sets of CID officers came in because it’s not just a fire, it was suspected arson. Basically when the FSO (Fire Support Officer) came from Belmont, it was more or less confirmed,” he said. Officers of the St Clair Police Station yesterday declined comment on the matter.

Pierre praised the fire service for containing the blaze which started a little after midnight.

“We received a phone call from a member of the rugby fraternity just after one this morning and they all mobilised but came to see the entire club-house up in flames. Police and fire services mobilised and fire services were excellent, they were there in about eight minutes, but unfortunately by the time they arrived, everything was engulfed and we lost everything. We lost 100 percent of about 84 to 85 years of memory – plaques, photos, touring teams, you name it, everything was lost.” Pierre was hesitant to put a figure on the damages incurred from the fire but said losing some of the cherished memorabilia was more hurtful.

“We really can’t put a value to it. We had some equipment for freezers for chilling of beverages and some rugby equipment but there is absolutely no monetary value for the memories that passed through that club,” he said.

The Caribs president continued, “I’m very much concerned because we do a lot for youth development. We have an under age team which we train Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. We had lessons taking place on a Friday for the weaker students so there is a lot going on with regards to the youth.” Caribs are currently hosting a team from Canada called Yeti but have nowhere for them to stay.

He said they will be utilising Harvard’s club in the interim. Caribs are currently embroiled in a legal matter over their use of the facility.

During a pre-game media conference at the Courtyard Marriott, Mucurapo yesterday, Lawrence said, “I think Panama (are) going to play exactly the way that they play. They’re going to be very well-organised, they’re going to make themselves very tough to beat.

“The first thing we need to match with them is their desire, because they’re a team that play with their heart,” emphasised Lawrence. “We’ve got to match their intensity, their hunger (and) their endeavour to try to win games.” Trinidad and Tobago will have little time to rest following tomorrow’s game, as they would be hosting Mexico in another World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The former TT central defender, who was appointed as national coach in January, admitted, “I’ll love to win the game (against Panama) and I think we all understand that. If we don’t win the game, then we mustn’t lose it.

“One of the most important things is if we can come out with four points (from both fixtures).

The most important thing is we mustn’t lose (tomorrow’s) game.

Six points would be brilliant.” Kenwyne Jones served as captain during the 2013-2016 reign of Stephen Hart while Carlos Edwards, who, like Lawrence and Jones, represented the then ‘Soca Warriors’ at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, wore the skipper’s armband during the four-game reign of Tom Saintfiet.

About his choice as team leader, Lawrence said, “I’m still yet to decide on that. I’m still assessing the group. It’s not a decision that I’m in any rush to make. The captain would be announced on the day of the game.” Jones has been a polarising figure on the TT team but Lawrence leapt to the defence of the 32-year-old striker.

“Kenwyne is a player that I think everybody need to understand.

Kenwyne has been around Trinidad and Tobago football for a long while. Kenwyne has come to do what I’ve asked him to do, to represent this country again.

Kenwyne needs support from the Trinidad and Tobago fans (and) the people around him.” Lawrence added, “My job is to help Kenwyne and to prepare Kenwyne to perform on the match day. My belief is that Kenwyne has got a lot to offer Trinidad and Tobago football. I see a part for Kenwyne to play with Trinidad and Tobago football and I think he deserves the opportunity to be given the chance. That’s why I selected Kenwyne.” He also sent a rallying call to the TT public, despite the fact that the national squad were beaten in their previous two Final Round games, against Costa Rica (2-0) and Honduras (3-1).

“I’m trying to encourage everyone to put a positive spin on this,” stated Lawrence. “Let us try to come together as a nation and make sure (to) give Panama the understanding that they’re not in Panama and they’re here in Trinidad and Tobago.” In related news, Panama defender Roman Torres, in an interview on CONCACAF.com, said, “It’s a difficult match. It will be a match in which Panama has to be very focused and keep a clean sheet.” Torres, who plays alongside TT midfielder Joevin Jones at American MLS club Seattle Sounders, continued, “Trinidad and Tobago (have) their qualities. They have fast players. We cannot get overconfident.

We should be concentrated and make them respect us.” It has also been reported on CONCACAF.com that Panama forward Blas Perez will miss tomorrow’s game due to an injured left thigh

The Jamaica Classic will be contested during the period of June 12-18 at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and it will be the first PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Tour Latinoamerica event in the English-speaking Caribbean, with leading Caribbean sports broadcaster SportsMax as the host organiser.

SportsMax and the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association (TT GA) have agreed that the top four players in the TT Open Championship flight, as well as a junior golfer, will participate in the Jamaica Classic.

In an interview at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad yesterday, Sports- Max’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oliver McIntosh said, “It is the first time that an event from a PGA Tour Latinoamerica is being held in the English-speaking Caribbean. The last time that a professional golf event from the PGA was held in the English- speaking Caribbean was back in the mid-90s – the Johnnie Walker Tournament in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Since then there hasn’t been a PGA Tour event held in the region.

“This deal came about out of discussions that was started between Sportsmax, the PGA and IMG (during) the Rio Olympics,” McIntosh added. “We discussed the opportunity to have the golf event here in the region. They wanted to bring something back to the English-speaking Caribbean so we championed this, and were able to get this.

“We agreed with the PGA initially that we would do an event but the ideal location would have Jamaica or Barbados, mostly because the courses there are suited for an international PGA event.

When we considered Trinidad, we looked at Moka (in Maraval) but the hilly nature, especially the back nine, didn’t suit for a PGA event. They have their parameters that they operate to hold a PGA event.” Asked about the involvement of the top four TT Open finishers at the Jamaica Classic, McIntosh revealed, “One of the things that we insisted on is, if we’re going to bring a tournament to the English- speaking Caribbean, how do we incorporate the rest of the region.” He continued, “The initial thought was to move it from island to island. That doesn’t quite make economic sense, because there is an investment level you have to put in to make the tournament work. So the next idea was to try to have qualifying tournaments in different islands.

That was looking like an expensive endeavour so what we suggested to the PGA was that we’d like to partner with existing tournaments.

As far as broadcasting the event is concerned, McIntosh said, “We have spoken about trying to do some live coverage. Covering live golf is a mammoth task so we may do it as limited coverage live and the rest on a highlight basis.” He pointed out, “It’s an annual event. It’s a three-year agreement we signed with the PGA Tour Latinoamerica. We know that it would be successful so we’re hoping that it would be extended past that. That’s the plan.”

The moriche is a well-distributed palm species throughout the Amazon and Orinoco Basins and was referred to as the “tree of life” by the great German geographer and explorer Alexander von Humboldt at the beginning of the 1800s. Early civilisations are thought to have brought the palm from the Amazon basin to Trinidad.

Trinidad is the northern limit of its global range and naturally occurring moriche palm populations exist in only six locations in Trinidad. These include the Aripo Savanna Environmentally Sensitive Area, Nariva Swamp Environmentally Sensitive Area, Arena Forest Reserve, Valencia Forest Reserve, Erin Reserve and the Los Blanquizales Lagoon. The Aripo Savanna and Nariva Swamp populations have densities of adult trees higher than 1,000 per km2, the Los Blanquizales population has less than 100 per km2, while the densities of all the other populations are less than 50 per km2.

Unfortunately, the average Trinbagonian is not familiar with this majestic species. This piece is an attempt to remedy this situation.

Palm product value Moriche palms play a significant socio-economic and ecological role in South America and are thought to have been utilised by early human civilisations some 2,000 years ago.

As a matter of fact, some societies still depend on these palms for their survival. For example in Peru, moriche palm ecosystems or “aguajals” as locally known, represents one percent (7000 km2) of the Amazonian valley forest and contribute millions of US dollars per year to the country’s GDP.

Products such as frozen sweets, wines, buttons, crafts, jewelry, oils, baskets, purses, sandals, hammocks, birdcages, toys, sunscreen, deodorant and many pharmaceutical items are traded locally and internationally. Another interesting use of moriche palms that some women might have heard of, or may have even tried, is the “moriche palm diet” – a Brazilian diet plan used by thousands of women worldwide and one which has increased the commercial demand for the fruit.

The fruit of the moriche is rich in vitamins and in several parts of South America it is eaten. You may have actually seen these scaly, dark-red fruit after they have washed ashore, especially on our southern beaches. Typically, these would have originated along the banks of rivers in Venezuela and were then washed out to sea.

Moriche palm stands are capable of surviving repeated exposure to fires and are believed to be pyrophilous in nature (tolerant and even benefiting from fire). This would have made the species even more compatible with human settlements, as fire played an integral part in human evolution and existence. Moriche palms are also known as a keystone species in Aripo Savanna and Nariva Swamp providing important ecosystem services. The species does not exist in Tobago and is not cultivated for economic purposes in Trinidad; perhaps because the country’s main GDP income is derived from petrochemical production and the main populations of moriche palm exist in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

Local indicator bird species such as the fork-tailed palm swift (Tachornis squamata), moriche oriole (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus), sulphury flycatcher (Tyrannopsis sulphurea) and red-bellied macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata) depend extensively on moriche palms to provide food and habitat for their survival, hence losing moriche palms in Trinidad would by extension mean losing bird species richness. The red-rumped agouti or (Dasyprocta leporina) hoards fallen fruits from moriche palms, retrieving them during food-shortage periods; these fruits provide agoutis with a rich source of nutrients, fats and polysaccharides ensuring the persistence of the agouti population during famine.

Threats to survival During my surveys throughout the island I have recorded several threats to the palms –squatting and land clearance being the most serious. For example, the palm swamp and marsh forests containing moriche palms in the Aripo Savannas, Valencia Reserve and Los Blanquizales Lagoon are being cleared to build shanty houses and to acquire land. Moriche palms are also being destroyed as a result of slash-and-burn farming in the Los Blanquizales Lagoon and Valencia Reserve where palms are being cut down to propagate short-term crops (such as dasheen, eddoes, pumpkin, corn, cucumber and pigeon peas).

Poachers for the illegal pet trade cut down dead palms in the Aripo Savannas and the Arena Reserve to acquire red-bellied macaw chicks, destroying valuable nest sites and other palms in the process.

I strongly believe that if these threats are not addressed soon, there would be dire consequences to moriche palm populations existing within the Valencia Reserve and Los Blanquizales Lagoon.

Conservation A small team of researchers (Dr Mike Oatham, Dr Aidan Farrell and myself) from the University of the West Indies is currently conducting research into the population dynamics of moriche palms in Trinidad, hoping to address the existing scarcity of data.

With respect to conservation, frequent patrols by law enforcement agencies on a roster system may be part of the answer to successfully protecting moriche palms in Trinidad. Additionally, the designation of the Los Blanquizales Lagoon as a forest reserve to protect the moriche palms located there is overdue. It is also advisable for the government to partner with local communities to protect this palm species, where organisations existing near palm populations are enlisted to ensure that palms are not destroyed. Several villagers and squatters living in proximity to palm stands have indicated their support for the erection of proper signage, directly in front of diminishing stands, forbidding individuals from removing palms, and the Government is urged to support such a cost-effective project.

The moriche palm is vulnerable, and such a special tree deserves our attention and protection. As we have seen, it is an iconic symbol of our natural savannas and freshwater swamps. It is a home to many species including several birds which are found almost exclusively in association with it. It may even have commercial applications if utilised in a sustainable manner. So the next time you see the “tree of life” please remember that there is more to the moriche palm than meets the eye.

To find out more about this research and many other projects, a Faculty of Science and Technology Research symposium will be held on April 6 – 7 at Chemistry Building (C1), UWI, St Augustine. For more info: lifesci.symposium@sta.

uwi.edu.

For more info on our natural history contact the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club at admin@ttfnc.org and visit www.

ttfnc.org and Facebook and Youtube pages.

The river sources flow from undisturbed tributaries situated on the northern foothills of El Cerro Del Aripo and El Chiquero Forest. Along the course, a favourite destination is Macajuel Pond where a confluence of the Brasso Seco and El Chiquero River occurs. Further upstream is a picturesque 30-foot cascade known as Madamas Falls.

Exploring the Madamas is filled with striking sceneries, extraordinary adventure, and stunning beauty.

As it reaches the coast, the river loses its turbulence and turns into a scenic lagoon. It is a temptation for every traveller to take a dip in the revitalising crystal clear water. The mouth is also a good place to camp and tranquillise the mind with the serenity of the river and the crashing sound of the waves.

Madamas means madam, and its name is justified by the exquisite and romantic ambiance. The beach, which remains uninhabited, is a favourite nesting ground for the leatherback turtles.The floods at the end of November 2017 caused severe changes to the landscape and the river was filled with fallen debris. The expedition trekking from Brasso Village, down the Madamas with an onward hike to camp at Paria Bay can take eight to 12 hours and is not for the faint-hearted or novice hiker. However, despite its difficulty, it remains one of Trinidad’s secret gems. On Saturday and Sunday Fitness Walkers explore the Madamas River.

The expedition consists of four legs and includes overnighting at Paria Bay.

Assembly: 4.30 am at the Brasso Seco Visitors Centre Leg 1: Depart 5.30 am Brasso Seco Village to Macajuel Pond (two hours) Leg 2: Exploration down the Madamas River to the Bay (six to eight hours) Leg 3: Hiking from Madamas Bay to overnight at Paria Bay (three to four hours) Leg 4: Return on Sunday morning from Paria Bay to Brasso Seco Village (three hours) Pre-registration required.

Suggested items needed for the river expedition are a life jacket, torchlight, waterproof bag and refreshments.

Note: Personal camp essentials will be transported by boat to Paria, which should include: a small tent and a small bag with a change of clothing.

Includes boat and vehicle transportation to Paria and Blanchisseuse, along with dinner and breakfast. Please bring your eating and drinking utensils (not provided).

Rated: 8 Very challenging includes long hours of hiking and swimming. To attempt must be an experienced hiker.

Note: Pre -registration required.

For more info: islandhikers@ gmail.com