Mr. Doolar Ramlal

Doolar Ramlal is a seasoned environmental and forestry professional whose career spans over four decades of dedicated service to Trinidad and Tobago’s natural resource management and environmental governance. His academic foundation is robust, beginning with an Honours Diploma in Forestry from the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF), followed by a Bachelor of Science in Forestry with a specialization in Forest Management and a Master of Science in Forestry focusing on Soil Science, both from the University of New Brunswick, Canada. His commitment to continuous learning is evident through additional credentials, including a Diploma in Environmental Management from Galilee College in Israel, a Certificate in Environmental Management and Development (ISO 14000 Series) from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and internationally recognized certifications in Occupational Safety and Health from NEBOSH and the International Labour Organization.

Mr. Ramlal’s professional journey began in the Forestry Division, where he served for 26 years, 15 of which were as Assistant Conservator of Forests. During this tenure, he worked across every section and conservancy in the country, gaining unparalleled experience in forest management. In 1987, he played a pivotal role in halting the practice of cutting natural forests for teak and pine plantations-a landmark decision in forest conservation. His efforts extended to enforcing forest protection laws, shutting down sawmills and furniture factories engaged in illicit timber trade, and contributing to legislative reforms through revisions of the Sawmills Act and the Forest Act. He authored numerous Forest Management Plans, re-drafted the National Forestry Policy in 1995, and lectured part-time at ECIAF for over 12 years, shaping future generations of forestry professionals.

Mr. Ramlal transitioned to the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), where he served as Director of the Environmental Unit (later renamed the Environmental Health and Safety Unit (EHSU)) from August 2002 to March 2016. His vision was to harmonize environmental stewardship with infrastructure development. Under his leadership, Cabinet-approved Environmental Policies and Environmental Evaluation Procedures were developed and implemented.  He secured over 200 Certificates of Environmental Clearance, supervised more than 10 Environmental Impact Assessments, and ensured that environmental clauses were embedded in all contract documents so that contractors were held responsible for protection of the environment. All MOWT’s projects were subject to environmental compliance and monitoring. In addition, all of the Ministry’s major projects were required to prepare and execute Environmental Management Plans, which were reviewed by the EHSU. Mr. Ramlal was instrumental in spearheading the national “Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving,” demonstrating his commitment to public safety alongside environmental priorities.

Beyond MOWT, Mr. Ramlal contributed significantly to the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD), where he procured licenses for two sand quarries and ensured that all environmental, health and safety issues were addressed in accordance with the Environmental Management Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. He also prepared several rehabilitation plans for degraded lands, reinforcing his expertise in sustainable land management.

Today, Mr. Ramlal is recognized as an authority in public sector management, environmental laws, project governance, and biodiversity conservation. His deep understanding of financial management, industrial relations, and nature reserve administration underscores a career dedicated to balancing development with environmental integrity.