17/06/2026
Media Release:
Restoring the Land, Securing the Future: Environmental Management Authority Advances Action on Desertification and Drought 16 June 2026
As the world observes Desertification and Drought Day 2026, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is playing its part in addressing land degradation, promoting sustainable land management and strengthening resilience to the impacts of drought and climate change through community-based action.
This year's theme, "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.", highlights the urgent need to safeguard and rehabilitate ecosystems that support biodiversity, livelihoods and food security. Globally, rangelands cover more than half of the Earth's land surface and sustain nearly two billion people. Yet many of these landscapes are degraded or at risk, threatening water resources, agricultural productivity and ecological health.
Against this backdrop, the BIOREACH Project (Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in the Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago) is demonstrating how local action can contribute to global environmental goals.
Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through US$3.75 million in grant financing, alongside significant co-financing, BIOREACH is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development. The project is executed by the EMA and the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO).
The project seeks to conserve biodiversity, restore degraded lands and improve livelihoods, particularly within rural and agricultural communities. One of its most significant achievements spearheaded by the EMA, has been the restoration of the banks of the Jagruma River in Plum Mitan, where environmental conservation and community development are working hand in hand.
To date, approximately 5.5 kilometres of degraded riverbanks, covering approximately twenty-five hectares, have been restored through the planting and maintenance with native vegetation. This work is helping to stabilise the riverbanks, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and create natural buffers against droughts and flooding.
The restored riparian corridor is also providing critical habitat for wildlife and strengthening ecological connectivity between surrounding landscapes. By protecting the health of the Jagruma River ecosystem, the project is supporting the long-term sustainability of nearby farming communities that depend on healthy soils, reliable water resources and resilient natural systems.
The restoration effort has delivered significant social benefits as well. To date, seventy-four community members have gained employment through project activities, participating in site preparation, planting, maintenance, monitoring and fire patrol activities. Their involvement has transformed restoration from a one-time intervention into a long-term community investment. The initiative demonstrated a commendable gender balance through the inclusion of women-led groups, which played a key role in the planting activities along the riverbanks.
Through hands-on participation, community members have developed a deeper connection to the landscape and a stronger sense of environmental stewardship. Their local knowledge and continued presence help ensure that restoration gains are maintained long after project activities conclude.
Environmental education initiatives have further strengthened community participation by engaging young people in conservation activities and fostering a new generation of environmental stewards. Given the area’s significance as an eco- and agrotourism hotspot, the project also supports the growth of sustainable livelihood opportunities in these areas.
As the world marks Desertification and Drought Day 2026, the BIOREACH Project demonstrates that restoring degraded lands is about more than planting trees. It is about safeguarding Trinidad and Tobago's water resources, strengthening food security, conserving biodiversity, and empowering communities to become active stewards of their environment. Healthy land supports healthy people. By investing in restoration today, Trinidad and Tobago is helping to build a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come. Emphasising the importance of sustained action, Dr. Joth Singh, Managing Director of the EMA, noted, “The continued efforts to restore degraded lands, protect water resources and strengthen resilience to climate change and drought are essential to developing a more enduring Trinidad and Tobago. Persistent and steady environmental action and community involvement remain crucial to safeguarding our natural resources for generations to come.”
The EMA, through its mandate to coordinate, facilitate and oversee environmental management across Trinidad and Tobago, remains committed to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the country’s natural resources. By promoting ecosystem-based approaches, strengthening biodiversity conservation and supporting community-centred environmental initiatives, the EMA continues to advance a healthier, more resilient and environmentally sustainable future for all.
Photo 1:
Aerial view of restoration site along Jagruma riverbank, Plum Mitan, Nariva.
Photo 2:
Group photo of the women led planting team at the Jagruma River, August 2025.
Photo 3:
Members from the community involved in riparian restoration activities in Plum Mitan.
Photo 4:
Dr. Joth Singh, Managing Director of the EMA, at the tree planting exercise held at the St. Michael’s Agroforestry Hillside Station, Tacarigua, alongside Mr. Doolar Ramlal, Chairman of the EMA, and Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Photo 5:
Tree planting in Les Coteaux, Tobago for World Environment Day. Front: Ms. Kamlyn Melville-Pantin, Acting Conservator of Forest for the Department of Natural Resources and Forestry. Back (from l to r): Ms. Sandra Williams - Technical Advisor (Tobago) BIOREACH Project, Mr. Naresh Ragoonanan – Director - EMA, Mr. Kadeem Williams – Director -EMA, Ms. Gillian Stanislaus – Assistant Manager (Tobago) - EMA, the Honourable Darren Henry – Secretary of the Division of Environment, Climate Resilience and Energy – THA, Ms. Neeala Mongroo - Deputy Chairman - EMA and Mr. Keydell Kerr, Director – EMA.
Photo 6:
Tree planting in Les Coteaux, Tobago for World Environment Day. (l to r): Mr. Kadeem Williams – Director -EMA, Ms. Neeala Mongroo - Deputy Chairman - EMA, Mr. Naresh Ragoonanan – Director - EMA and Mr. Keydell Kerr, Director – EMA.
