PROGRESS ON THE WAITUKUBULI NATIONAL TRAIL PROJECT

Roseau, Dominica – February 21, 2008………Progress is being made in the implementation of the $14 Million ECD Waitukubuli National Trail Project (WNTP).

 

Last Friday, a group led by the then acting Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Julius Timothy,  visited one of the 14 segments that will form part of the Waitukubuil National Trail.

 

A series of training programmes in Trail Construction and Maintenance and Vegetation Management have taken place in recent weeks. The group was able to witness one of the training sessions which took place in the vicinity of the Emerald Pool Eco-Tourist site and ran from Tuesday, February 12, 2008 to Saturday February 16, 2008.

Work has started on Segment 5 of the Waitukubuli National Trail project-from Pond Casse to Castle Bruce. The average walking time for segment 5 is six hours. Attractions include the Emerald Pool & facility; Morne Trois Pitons trail; Creole gardens; Neg maron headquarters; Castle Bruce Swamp; Castle Bruce Village; Old Road (Carib trace) among other sights and attractions.

 

In recognition of the importance of developing and promoting a more diversified tourism product in the face of the continuing challenges facing the banana industry, the Government of Dominica made a decision in 2004 to commit resources from the European Union for tourism development, specifically the construction and development of the Waitukubuil National Trail.

 

The objective of the WNTP is the establishment of a defined and holistic tourism product which meets international standards and is capable of attracting increased tourism arrivals and increasing community-based expenditure.

 

The Trail will feature the natural, historic, cultural variety of the Dominican landscape by integrating along the route varying physical landscapes/terrain, flora/fauna/historical/heritage sites and rural communities.

 

Meanwhile a  team from the Regional Council of Martinique is expected in Dominica next week  to provide technical assistance to the WNTP in the area of landscaping.

 

The other persons who visited Segment 5 of the Trail were: the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mrs. Claudia Bellot; Project Manager/WNTP/PMU, Mrs. Yvanette Baron-George; Site Coordinator, Ashton Lugay; Michel Tanasi, National Forest Office, Martinique and local media practitioners. (Ends)