Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve could soon become a UNESCO World Heritage

Site.The Tobago House of Assembly is seeking to achieve World Heritage Site status for the Forest Reserve, which would afford the area further legal protection based on its environmental significance and contribution to life in Tobago. The announcement was made by Secretary of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment Kwesi Des Vignes in his address to mark World Environmental Day, which is observed globally today (June 5). The theme for World Environmental Day is “Connecting People to Nature”.The Main Ridge is the oldest protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere.Des Vignes said Tobagonians are the key to keeping the island “Clean, Green, Safe and Serene”, in accordance with Tobago’s brand.

Efforts are being made to boost the construction industry in Tobago by ensuring construction experts are up to date

with concrete technology.The Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment is partnering with the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA) to host the Concrete Technology Workshop at the Division’s Shaw Park Compound.The workshop will feature concrete technologist Danny Jairam, who will address contractors, regulators, artisans and other experts.The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards will also present at the event.

Forty Tobago students will vie for the title of best storyteller, starting tomorrow (June 6).

The annual storytelling competition is being hosted for S.E.A. students by the Tobago Library Services with support from Republic Bank.The first preliminary round will be staged tomorrow at the Roxborough Library, with the next two to be held on Wednesday and Thursday (June 7 and 8 respectively) at the Scarborough Library Facility. The regional finals will take place on

June 13 at the same venue.Helen Johnson, the head of Tobago Library Services, said she is pleased with the response to this year’s competition.“We have an increase in participants this year, with a total of 40 students registered for the preliminaries,” Johnson said. “Additionally, Republic Bank Limited has agreed to an even greater involvement in the competition, which I believe is a result of our efforts last year to raise the standard of the competition.”

STORIES OF THE DAYMonday 5th June, 2017 Tobago House of Assembly

O F F I C E O F T H E C H I E F S E C R E T A R Y

ENVIRONMENT IN FOCUS

CONCRETE WORKSHOP TOMORROW

40 S.E.A. STUDENTSVIE FOR STORYTELLING TITLE

HOUSING HELP: Secretary of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities Clarence Jacob, left, presents a cheque to homeowner Carla Donaldson during a cheque distribution ceremony at the Division on Friday (June 2). In all, 32 homeowners received home improvement grant assistance from the Division.

The Secretary said the Division’s environmental team has been working to protect the rights of all Tobagonians to a clean, healthy and stable environment.He is also encouraging residents to be

champions for Tobago’s environment.In the past few months, the Division has been tackling a number of environmental issues, including: noise pollution, water pollution, harmful emissions and deforestation.

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