The Checkhall River now has a sign which proclaims it is officially protected by law.
The sign was unveiled at the entrance of the river on Thursday and was set to coincide with World Rivers Day being observed on the weekend.
The building and raising of the sign was done in conjunction with the Canefield Urban Council, the Dominica Youth Environment Organization, Massacre Canefield School, the Pioneer School, The Forestry Wildlife and Parks Division, Environmental Health Unit, Office of Disaster Management and the Dominica Social Justice and Peace Inc.
The Checkhall River is the only river in Dominica that is protected by the Constitution and organizers of the event hope that the unveiling of the sign will create awareness that the island’s rivers must be protected.
Parish priest, Father Franklyn, who spoke at the event is hoping that unveiling of the sign will remind residence of the significance of preserving the river. He pointed out that Dominica’s rivers are dying and it is up to students to protect them.
Meantime, 10 year old Shania Edwards of the Massacre Primary school was recognized at Thursday’s ceremony for her achievement at the 2011 Courts/OECS reading competition.
The school on Thursday named its Library the Shania Edwards Library in honor of the 10-year-old.
next i want to see a sign at all ports of entry saying all real dominicans and our constitution are protected by law,,,,,,what a beautiful day that would be,,ps i hope the river appreciates it is now more important then all of us xx
Let the discussion continues. The Titiwi Festival is happening again in Layou, on the Weekend millions of people are observing World Rivers Day. Do you think there is a future for this Festival (Titiwi Festival).
N.B. The theme of this World Rivers Day event is: “MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS”. We are convinced that by encouraging our your people to study and research the history of our Rivers (365?)a greater effort will be made to protect our waterways in Dominica.
What/whom is the river protected from? Come on DNO, be a bit more explicit.
Does it mean we can no longer bath there, fish there, wash our face there or watch the river?
I was wondering the same thing.
me too
This should make sense to the sensible. In simple terms and the plain truth since you want to hear it although you should know this, it means people can no longer discard garbage in it, poop and urinate in it including their animals and mess it up. Some people willfully do this. These actions are unhealthy. They pose a health hazard. There is no doubt some people may have been doing that. Thus the necessity to proclaim it, protected by Law.
The river should be used solely for bathing where it is possible to bathe.
The Law is anyone who is caught throwing garbage in it and messing it up will be prosecuted. People must discipline themselves to respect Dominica’s natural water resources and keep them clean including the property of others.
There are a few other places, one in particular which also leads to the sea which should be proclaimed accordingly. Sometime I will speak to Father Franklyn Cuffy about that. He will know the area when I inform him about it. He knows me too.
We are never far away from providing our advice based on our oservations; only a phone call or click away just as access to DNO.
Anonymous, from pollution
Congratulations Shaniah! we love you so much baby, remember that you can do all things through Christ, continue to put the Lord first and you will achieve anything which you aspire.
Congratulations goes off to the hardworking teachers at the Massacre/Canefield Primary School. Hats Off to you.
Is the river protected by an Act of Parliament or the Constitution? Can the little I can read from the picture of the sign, I see Forestry Act … Section …
Regardless, a step in the right direction. We need to conserve and protect our natual resources.
Interesting enough I see section 11. 1975 section 5 wonder what that really means.
As you rightly said regardless of what. We have environmental issues world wide our one of our only resources is our water. WE NEED TO PROTECT IT:
Protected from what?