The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is warning members of the public against climbing on monuments following recent reports of inappropriate interactions with heritage assets.
Following complaints about persons mounting these structures, the organisation stated that such actions can cause irreversible damage to heritage assets, many of which are fragile due to age, and may also pose a risk of injury. It noted that monuments and historic objects are deeply symbolic and are regarded with reverence by various stakeholders.
As the body responsible for safeguarding the nation’s heritage and promoting public awareness, the National Trust is reminding citizens and visitors of the importance of treating sites, structures, artefacts, buildings, monuments, objects, and cultural landscapes with care and respect. It emphasised that some heritage assets may not be immediately recognisable, but still require careful handling.
The Trust also highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago is home to numerous points of interest, ranging from natural features to evidence of human activity spanning the pre-Columbian era to the present. Many such sites are brought to its attention by members of the public.
Through continued research, certain assets are added to the National Trust’s Inventory of Heritage Assets, while others may be designated as listed properties under the National Trust Act. The organisation currently maintains over 400 recorded assets and continues to depend on public cooperation to support preservation efforts.