Tapovan TT Road Appeal

Tapovan TT

Our Tapovan Project is central to the Blue Star Mission. It is based on the ideals of living in harmonious co-existence with all of life, and presents us with many opportunities to explore this through collaboration and team working, engaging effectively with our external partners and project supporters, and of course Nature itself.

What we have been doing so far

For the past 8 years, we have been actively engaged with the Project:

We continue to persevere in very challenging conditions, as we can only drive to our land when the road is dry.

Dry weather access only

The Mamoral Valley Road runs through our land, but is in very bad condition. The Juan Navarro Trace is in better condition for the most part, and we use it to drive to our boundary during the dry season.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.blue-star.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Navarro-Road-context.pdf” title=”Navarro Road Context”]

Rainy season hazards

In the rainy season, poor drainage and a lack of base material in some areas makes the road treacherous for vehicles.

At these times, we have to walk in to the land, which is mostly downhill. However getting out means trekking uphill trek for nearly 1 kilometre, with tired bodies, whilst carrying whatever we have harvested, plus tools and equipment.

Knocking on as many doors as possible

Since 2012, we have lobbied:

for assistance with road rehabilitation. In 2016, the Corporation graded the Mamoral Valley Road. However, due to funding constraints, we were not able to secure road materials, and the Road has deteriorated further.

Professional solution

In May 2018, an engineer conducted an assessment of both roads, and advised us that the Juan Navarro Trace was a relatively easier road to upgrade. Improvements are needed to some 800 metres of the roadway, including:

These improvements will enable us to drive into (and out of) Tapovan, all year round, regardless of weather.

Phased plan for road works

Our immediate objective is to enable 4 x 4 vehicles to drive to and from the Tapovan boundary, all year round:

Priority needs

We are confident that Phase I works can be realized as soon as possible, with Phase II completed by the end of this year, and Phase III in early 2019.

One of our members has generously committed to supply the necessary machinery and transport, so we need to provide material and labour.

We will lobby the Couva Tabaquite Talparo Regional Corporation to partner with us regarding the road improvements. Specifically, we are going to request that the Corporation provides labour, whilst we raise funds for material.

Will you help us make this a reality?

We invite you to help to make this a reality by making a contribution, either financially or in “kind.”

If you would like to support us financially, we have suggested amounts for you to consider, but we are extremely grateful for any amount.

If you are based in Trinidad, you can call the Blue Star Office at 659-0440 and refer to the “Tapovan TT Road Fund.”

In “kind” contributions may include donating a truck load of material, or other things that we would be happy to discuss with you.

We also invite you to join us in person to support and be part of this ongoing project. If this appeals to you, please get in touch with us as there are many ways that you can get involved.

Donate now

To donate, click the button below.

Next steps