Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guides Association

The Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association (GRNTGA) was created at the initiative of the village community in 2001. The mission of this organization is commendable. It is to establish the basis for economic, social and cultural development of Grande Rivière through ecotourism, in a climate of cordial understanding between the villagers and the tourists. It is noteworthy that the villagers of Grande Rivière have a very strong awareness of the richness and beauty of the environment and ecology of their region and are determined to see it preserved. Moreover, not wanting to follow the example of other islands in the Caribbean region, which have lost their identity under the concrete of luxury residences, they want at all costs to avoid being robbed of their land under the pressure of mass tourism promoters. Finally, they see in ecotourism an alternative and a relay of employment to replace the exhausting and badly paid jobs of agriculture and fishing which still ensure the daily bread of the majority of them. Recognized by the governmental authorities of Trinidad, this organization watches particularly the preservation of the giant turtles, the Luth turtles, which come to lay by thousands on the shores of Grande Rivière, on the beach where they are born, and this five months in the year, from the beginning of March to the end of August. The organization takes its role very seriously, and rightly so, with a ban on lighting at night to avoid scaring the majestic beasts, scrupulous control of beach visitors and accompaniment by guides. In 1997, the beach of Grande Rivière was declared a protected area, and since then it is necessary to obtain a permit to visit it during the spawning season. These permits can be obtained at the offices of the Forestry Division in Port of Spain, as well as at those in Sangre Grande and San Fernando.

Activities. The association offers visitors guided tours for a fee, whether to observe the turtles or to hike the many trails that crisscross the surrounding jungle, or to observe the famous "pawi", a rare wild turkey with cobalt-blue plumage, the emblematic bird of the forests of the northern mountains of Trinidad, and the pride of Grande Riviere. Guides for the hike from Matelot to Blanchisseuse as well.