(Trinidad Express) Clifton De Coteau, Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, announced on Saturday that the National Trust will be embarking on a number of initiatives, aimed at involving the national community in the preservation of the natural and built heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Minister made the comment during a visit to the Banwari site at San Francique with environmentalists, members of the National Trust, students, representatives from the Siparia Regional Corporation and staff members from the Government Archives.
He announced that signs will soon be erected at all historical sites to assist and encourage members of the public in visiting their local heritage.
He said, “Banwari site and the Pitch Lake at La Brea are in the process of completing the UNESCO requirements to be included as World Heritage sites, and in the coming year twelve tours to historic churches, temples, mosques and cemeteries where national heroes are buried will be organised by the National Trust.”
De Coteau said places of worship had played an important part in bringing communities together.
He singled for mention the Siparia church of La Divina Pastora which has in the past served as a living vehicle to unite Hindus and Christians in common worship, and the facilities at Mount St Benedict that provided spiritual comfort to many.
He said the Trust had already paid a visit to the Doon Pundit Temple at Arima where several people had received cures for various ailments, including Josephine Shaw, wife of former governor of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Minister said, “Other initiatives soon to be implemented are the launching of a book detailing the history of 50 natural and built heritage sites, encouragement to students of primary and secondary schools to form heritage clubs, and distribution of literature to build greater awareness of the rich heritage of our country.”
