In 2018, TT recorded one of the worst instances of flooding in recent history. Entire communities were submerged and countless families displaced.
Since then, TT officials, from local government to ministries, have been brainstorming short- and long-term solutions to the problem. While the floods of 2018 were unprecedented, they were not an isolated incident. Flooding continues to be a problem for many residents, more often those who live in hillside and riverside communities.
The IAMovement, a non-profit organisation founded in 2014, has developed an eco-friendly solution that it believes, if implemented across the country, can significantly reduce the impact of flooding in these communities.
[caption id="attachment_911994" align="alignnone" width="879"] The roots of vetiver grass can run as much as 15 feet deep after two years. Photo courtesy I Am Movement - I Am Movement[/caption]
Under the Me-We-Green programme, the IAMovement has developed the Vetiver Education and Empowerment Project (VEEP) model, which it is bringing to communities across TT to educate people on how to use the vetiver system as a low-cost green infrastructure tool. It believes the system can be the solution to a range of water-related challenges.
The Me-We-Green programme is also supported by the Green Fund, the national environmental fund. The Green Fund is a grant facility available to organisations engaged in environmental projects related to key areas including reforestation, conservation, and environmental education and public awareness of environmental issues.
The VEEP model was developed in Paramin, known for its hillside gardens, and the team has now extended the project to eight other hillside communities.
On August 27, members of the organisation hosted a site visit to Lopinot village to determine what areas would be best to plant and to meet with residents whose properties could benefit from the programme. They were accompanied by president of the Lopinot Tourism Association Donna Mora and chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco corporation Kwasi Robinson.
“The roots of the vetiver grass run ten-15 feet deep after two years,” said project co-ordinator Nikolai Emmanuel. “However, within the first year you could get between five to six feet of growth.”
He said when planted in ideal conditions, there is effective soil retention, as the roots of the grass are sturdy and capable of holding back a steady flow of water.
The grass, he said, is planted in contours and series along the hillside.
[caption id="attachment_911997" align="alignnone" width="1024"] When planted in ideal conditions, vetiver grass promotes effective soil retention, as the roots of the grass are sturdy and capable of holding back a steady flow of water. Photo courtesy I Am Movement -[/caption]
“The nutrients coming down the hills (are) lost in the river…and excess sedimentation increases the width of the river.
“The contours allow (the water) to spread over the hillside so, e
