Harvested growths were replanted with new saplings (usually cedar, mahogany and teak) with the result that the industry is very much alive and strong in this part of the island. Starting from the early 1990s many of the stakeholders began a grassroots movement to conserve their forests (without governmental assistance). The result is some of the highest quality furniture, wood sculpting and displays of carpentry that can be found not only in Trinidad but in the Caribbean region. The area is populated by many skilled carpenters and woodworkers who have learnt their trade from their forefathers. Softer tropical timber is also harvested and sold to the many sawmills in the area (there are at least three fully operational mills) for use in the island's manufacturing and export industry. The area is rich in natural growths of hardwoods mahogany, cedar, appamatte, teak and mora – all of these are commercially harvested by the many small independent timberjacks in the area. A proportion of the harvest is sold within the southeastern corner of the island but a larger proportion is sold to export firms which export the produce to major West Indian centers in the North America.įor many years the Rio Claro area sustained a profitable trade in Caribbean tropical hardwoods. Crop rotation is still popular among many of the traditional cocoa, citrus, banana and coffee farmers although within the last ten years there has been a heavy investment in "new" crops such as various ground provisions (e.g.: yams, tubers, cassava), seasonings and fruits. The area's farms are well suited to grow a wide range of crops – the many small streams, ponds, hills and trails allow this to be possible. Overall this way of life, often viewed as being "hard" by outsiders, is what makes the residents in the area enjoy a slightly higher standard of living than other communities, as the food expenditure is less here than in other towns and villages. One must not overlook that some of the tastiest doubles were sold in Rio Claro and that these vendors have won national competitions. Cooking itself is a family affair, a group activity that allows for bonding and strengthening of relationships. Food in this area is generally prepared with generous use of spices, seasonings and pepper – great pride is taken in ensuring that all ingredients (where possible) are cleaned. Poultry, canned and other preserved goods are accompaniments to these meals. Navet, a village in the Rio Claro area is famous for its dasheen plantations. Ground provisions, freshwater fish and small game animals (commonly referred to as "wild meat") are dominant in the cuisine in this area. The residents have incorporated many of the modern goods and cooking styles with the more traditional methods and ingredients, resulting in a unique array of dishes that is regularly eaten in homes every day. Well into the 21st century the area is known throughout Trinidad as having exceptionally fruitful hunting (small game animals such as agouti, lappe and armadillo) and fishing grounds.Ī large proportion of the area's residents still practice farming and hunting however this is not a subsistence lifestyle by any means. This infrastructure development enabled not only the local farming populace but many avid hunters and fishermen access to these areas. The early lumber industry (circa 1930's) left many small trails, some of which were eventually paved over.
The area is well known for its extensive yet accessible forests. Rio Claro currently has two secondary schools and 9 primary schools. When the Trinidad Government Railway extended its line to this village in 1914, the name Rio Claro was formalised. As cacao planters settled the area, the village on the banks of the Rio Claro came to be called by that name. A "rest house" was built there in 1850 when a road was cut from Mission (now Princes Town) to Mayaro. The town was named for a small stream, which was named Rio Claro by Spanish surveyors in the 1770s.
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