Maracas Valley Action Committee (MVAC) is an environmental NGO committed to the sustainable development of Maracas Valley.

A previous UNDP GEF SGP Study entitled ‘Issues of Sustainable Development in Maracas Valley, Trinidad and Tobago’ was carried out in 2009/2010 to monitor and evaluate land use trends and their effect from 1970 to 2009. That study involved the preparation of a socio-economic profile of Maracas Valley based on house to house surveys; a trend analysis indicating changes in land use and the effects on rivers, roads, water supply; a series of stakeholders meetings which identified concerns of the residents in the Valley; the preparation of a qualitative economic valuation report. Challenges and mitigation measures were identified and recommendations made for charting a way forward for the Valley.

The proposed project will build on the results of the previous study and will examine and attempt to quantify the effects of:
• a dramatic increase in quarrying activities;
• continue with the environmental monitoring;
• review best practices regionally and internationally in quarrying and land development and compare with local practice;
• review existing government policy;
• encourage voluntary compliance from quarry operators and developers in implementing best practices
• increase community awareness to encourage support and enforce best practices.

In order to highlight the above, it is proposed to:
• Prepare a 15 minute video presentation on issues of sustainability in Maracas Valley to be used in a series of stakeholders meetings, aired in the media etc.
• Encourage schools to participate in a video competition to increase environmental awareness in the Northern Range in partnership with The Film Company of T&T.
• Encourage public participation by holding stakeholders meetings within Maracas Valley
• Use the local media to highlight the issues indicated above through the press, media groups and sponsored advertisements.

Indicators of achievement will be the video presentation; the engagement of schools in increased environmental awareness; reports on quarrying and land development best practices and how these relate to Maracas Valley; results of continuing environmental monitoring. The schools that have been targeted are along the east-west corridor in the foothills of the Northern Range. The main aim of this project is to further increase the level of public and private sector awareness in environmental matters. By engaging the young people it is anticipated that future generations will have an appreciation of the importance of establishing good environmental practices in order to minimize further land degradation and to ensure sustainable development in the future for Trinidad and Tobago.

The budget for this project is estimated to be $500,000 TT of which $300,000 will be sought from the GEF SGP, the balance coming from work being carried out on a pro bono basis by professionals residing in the Valley and/or from fund raisers.