26/10/2026
The Environmental Management Authority’s (EMA) Managing Director, Dr. Joth Singh, joined members of Biche and Plum Mitan communities as well as team members from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF)BIOREACH Project team and the Forestry Division on Friday on 16th October, 2026, for a site visit along the banks of the Jagruma and Main Line River in Plum Mitan. There, he observed the progress of ongoing riparian (river bank) restoration works being spearheaded by the EMA under the project.
As part of the visit, Dr. Singh participated in a tree-planting activity, highlighting the importance of restoring riverbank ecosystems, strengthening biodiversity corridors and supporting of livelihoods in our rural communities. “Restoring our natural ecosystems requires sustained action, collaboration and must ensure sustainable livelihoods for persons and their families that depend on these resources.” said Dr. Singh.
Dr. Singh spent the day with these community conservation champions learning about their involvement in the project, challenges and gaining a better understanding of how the EMA can assist in biodiversity conservation efforts, while also supporting the communities that depend on the areas being restored. He was thoroughly impressed by their efforts and congratulated them on their commitment to the exercise, reaffirming the EMA’s interest in supporting future initiatives in the Nariva Swamp Managed Resource Protected Area, an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).
According to Dr. Singh, “Initiatives such as the GEF BIOREACH Project are important in not only protecting biodiversity but ensuring that the community can continue to generate revenue to support themselves and their families into the future.”
Photo captions:
Photo 1: Aerial view above a pump station in the Plum Mitan area
Photo 2: Conducting site assessments and fieldwork by the water's edge in Plum Mitan
Photo 3: Asif Khan, Technical Advisor for the BIOREACH project, provides an update to Dr. Singh on the development of a newly planted tree
Photo 4: Members of the BIOREACH team, Dr. Singh, representatives from the Forestry Division, and local community members assemble near the Jagruma River
Photo 5: Collaboration and partnership! Dr. Singh aided by a member of the community during a tree planting activity in Plum Mitan
Photo 6: Securing a newly planted sapling during field activities
Photo 7: Dr. Joth Singh, Managing Director of the EMA, greets Rishi Singh, Ag. Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forestry Division
Photo 8: Representatives from the EMA, Forestry Division, BIOREACH and local community members at the Nariva Swamp Protected Area
Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Kennedy Swaratsingh GEF Small Grants Programme Trinidad and Tobago UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat & Caribbean Environment Programme IDB Invest Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Basel Convention Regional Centre - Caribbean UN Environment Programme Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
