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TPRC Vetiver Flood and Landslide Mitigation Project
November 2024 – May 2025
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TPRC Vetiver Flood and Landslide Mitigation Project

A pioneering intervention in the Tunapuna/Piarco region is demonstrating the power of “green-engineering” to safeguard critical infrastructure and communities from the escalating threats of climate change. 

By deploying the Vetiver System (VS) as a primary defense against soil erosion and landslips, IAMovement, in partnership with the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC), is providing a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete stabilization.

The Vetiver Flood and Landslide Mitigation Project, funded by the European Union and supported by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), was implemented between late 2024 and May 2025. The initiative focused on two high-risk sites where natural drainage and slope stability had been compromised in the Blanchisseuse community. These areas, vital for regional transit and community safety, were reinforced with the “living nails” of Vetiver grass, a non-invasive plant known for its massive, 10-foot-deep root systems that lock soil in place.

Beyond physical installations, the project prioritized community-led resilience through a dedicated Vetiver System Workshop at the Santa Rosa First Peoples Heritage Village. This training session brought together 45 participants, including TPRC technical staff and local community members, to master the science of bio-engineering. By engaging the field team from Vetiver TT Ecological Engineering Solutions, participants received hands-on experience in high-angle planting and slope management, ensuring the knowledge remains within the community.

The project’s impact was immediate and visible. At both sites the Vetiver System has successfully stabilized the land further supported through erosion control techniques such as coconut matting installed alongside the Vetiver at one site. To mark these achievements, a formal commissioning ceremony was held in Blanchisseuse on May 21st, 2025, celebrating the successful stabilization of these vulnerable sites and unveiling of project signage at both locations by the Chairman of the TPRC.

By merging technical expertise with local engagement, this initiative has set a new standard for climate adaptation in Trinidad and Tobago. The success of this project serves as a scalable model for other regional corporations, proving that nature-based solutions are not only effective in protecting our physical landscape but also in empowering citizens to become active stewards of a more resilient future.

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