Minister calls on citizens to protect our local wildlife

 

March 03, 2023: The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honorable Kazim Hosein, is issuing a clarion call to all citizens to come together to protect and celebrate the incredible wildlife of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Minister’s call comes as the world commemorates World Wildlife Day 2023; this year’s theme, “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”, highlights the need for all sectors of society to work together to make a significant contribution toward sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation.

In an address issued today, the Minister stated, “Our country is home to a rich array of unique and fascinating wildlife. We must celebrate the incredible biodiversity of our twin island state and recognize the importance of protecting our natural heritage.”

He added Trinidad and Tobago is home to many endangered species, inclusive of the Golden Tree Frog and birds such as the White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis), Trinidad Motmot (Momotus bahamensis) and the Trinidad Piping-guan or Pawi (Pipile pipile).

Recognizing this fact, Minister Hosein lamented that many of these species are “threatened by habitat loss, overhunting and are victims of illegal wildlife trade.” While he is confident that the recent strides that have been made in the conservation efforts will yield positive results, he is cognizant that more work needs to be done to ensure the survival of our unique and diverse wildlife.

He called on citizens to take action to conserve and restore their habitats, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable practices that allow both people and wildlife to thrive.

To commemorate this day, Minister Hosein spent the morning participating in a school outreach programme at the Ministry’s Forestry Division on Farm Road, St Joseph. Students of the Trinidad Muslim League Primary School in St. Joseph interacted with members of the Forestry Division and various NGOs. It was an interactive session, and students were exposed to lessons on biodiversity and conservation efforts. During the outreach, the Minister also participated in a simulation fire prevention exercise.

In closing, Minister Kazim Hosein urged the students to spend some time today to appreciate the country’s wildlife beauty.