Wild Tobago

  Pat Ganase encourages Trinbagonians to enjoy nature in these retreats on our islands. “Tobago has always had ecotourism,” says one environmentalist engaged in tourism. And Trinidad? The country’s best known ecotourism destination prides itself on attracting visitors from all over the world for close to 60 years. Who are these ecotourists that come from elsewhere, to be charmed by where we live here: the nature of forests and seashores and the animals and plants therein. Do they always need to be foreigners.   The best thing about eco-tourism is that everyone can enjoy it, learn from it and become better citizen stewards of our own country.   It does not require massive infrastructure, but does depend on strategic investments in long-term management of natural resources. Perhaps the most important foundation is respect for natural spaces. Any vision of individual or community must be enhanced and supported through policy, conscious use and the reliability of n...

The heart of Tobago is its biodiversity in forest such as the Main Ridge Reserve; and offshore coral reefs; and very deep Atlantic zones. Sustaining biodiversity by preserving natural habitat is one of the mandates of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its latest report. In the recent decades, Tobago tourism has moved to accommodations that live lightly on the earth. Travel with Faraaz Abdool, birding enthusiast and eco-tour guide, to his favourite place on the island. Learn more about how this resort has integrated itself with the rainforest at https://www.cuffie-river.com First published in Newsday Tobago, November 22, 2018   Look for the diamond-shaped sign painted forest green along the winding Northside Road past Moriah. Turn off the main road and follow the signs to Cuffie River Nature Retreat. The transformation begins. Gradually, the sound of other vehicles gives way to that of wind rustling through leaves, huge groves of bamboo creaking and ...

A long-running National Geographic feature was the source of wonder and inspiration to young Faraaz Abdool. Today, he wields his camera to allow others to see into the hidden worlds of native birds and animals on Tobago and Trinidad. (He talks with Pat Ganase; first published in Tobago Newsday on February 15, 2018) Faraaz Abdool’s photo of the Turkey Vulture was featured on the National Audubon Society’s Instagram site. “My grandfather had a subscription to National Geographic; and I was especially fascinated by the page ‘Wildlife as Canon sees it.’ It was the single feature that I looked for every time.” Faraaz still goes to the page in the magazine. But recently he has been creating his own wildlife stories, having images recognized by the (USA) National Audubon Society (on its Instagram site under #AudubonTakeover); and published in magazines such as Discover Trinidad and Tobago. Faraaz has always been interested in birds, “Birds are everywhere – city, country, shore...