TT RENAMES CARONI BIRD SANCTUARY IN HONOUR OF WINSTON NANAN

The late Winston Nanan

The Government of Trinidad & Tobago announced Thursday the renaming of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary in honour of the late Winston Nanan. Environment Minister Ganga Singh made the announcement in a statement at the weekly post cabinet media briefing.

Excerpt from Minister's statement:

The late Mr. Winston Nanan, a son of the soil, an illustrious environmentalist and a well-known tour boat operator was instrumental in the preservation and development of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary as a protected site of high ecological and economic value. 

He began his life’s work at the tender age of eleven when he began educating himself on the swamp and its habitat to contribute to the success of his father’s burgeoning Caroni Bird Sanctuary tour business. This simple act of commitment fuelled a passion that propelled him into a career as a lifelong ornithologist, naturalist, wildlife photographer, cinematographer, environmental activist and true patriot.


Among his accomplishments was the publication at the age of only 16, of an article in the National Geographic Magazine, illustrated by his own photographs. Since then, this self-educated expert on wetlands and swamp life has been published in internationally renowned journals including the Smithsonian Institution and the Encyclopaedia of North American Birds.

Throughout his life, he was also featured in the following publications: Journey to the Red Birds – Jan Lindblad; A Birders Guide to Trinidad and Tobago – William Murphy; National Geographic Travelers’ Magazine; Eco-beat Magazine; andInternational Who’s Who of Professionals – 2003.

Mr. Nanan was not just another tour boat operator. He was a passionate environmentalist who actively advocated for sustainable development. In the early 1970’s he petitioned the then Prime Minister to stop the transport of gas through the Swamp by large barge, a practice that was doing tremendous harm to the delicate ecosystem of the Swamp. The gas bottling plant was eventually removed from the area.

In an effort to preserve the environment of the Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary, Mr. Winston Nanan served in a number of organizations in varying capacities, including:

• Environmental Management Authority;
• National Wetlands Conservation Committee;
• Caroni Lagoon Management Committee; and
• Forestry Division – Honorary Game Warden.

For his many accomplishments including the production of several documentaries on life in the swamp, Mr. Nanan has been awarded many local accolades and has garnered international recognition which has only served to represent Trinidad and Tobago all over the world.
These awards include:

• The National Geographic Travel Holiday Magazine, Caribbean Insider Award 1998, Best Tourist site for Trinidad and Tobago;
• Prime Minister Tourism Award;
• The Cerro Aripo Lifetime Achievement Award (1999);
• The Hindu Prachaar Kendra Award – Trinidad and Tobago Ganga Dhara National Award for Ecology (2011);
• The Humming Bird Medal (Silver) for Business and his out-standing contribution to the Nation for developing the Caroni Swamp Bird Sanctuary as a premier tourist destination (2012); and
• Trip Advisor 2014 and 2015 - Winner Certificate of Excellence, Certificate of Excellence, Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tours. 

Undoubtedly, Mr. Nanan’s tireless efforts in developing the swamp into an ecologically sustainable yet wealth-inducing eco-attraction visited by thousands annually, is indicative of the extensive contribution he has made to the environment of Trinidad and Tobago.