Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

100 SIMON OUDIT NANAN (1919-1968) Nanan was the son of an indentured family who lived in Cunupia, in close proximity to the Caroni Swamp. He worked as a part time farmer, and on the nearby sugar cane plantation. He enhanced his earnings by going into the Caroni Swamp to hunt (hunting was legal then) and fish. Along with his son Winston, he developed a boat tour business which soon gained recognition. On weekends, he would take British aristocrats and influential French Creole families on tours into the Caroni Swamp in the early 1930’s. An inspiration was born and Simon began spending more time taking people on tours as he saw the potential of developing the tours. Simon and Winston’s concern for the protection of the Scarlet Ibis was growing. In 1948, Simon and Winston collected signatures of over 200 people, many of whom were very influential and a petition was sent to the Conservator of Forests for consideration. Due to the overwhelming support, a Sanctuary (known as the Caroni Bird Sanctuary) was created and the Scarlet Ibis gained some protection. In 1962, when Trinidad and Tobago became an Independent Nation, the Scarlet Ibis was selected as the National Bird of Trinidad gaining full protection from being hunted. Under the stewardship of Winston Nanan, driven by his love, dedication and commitment to this sensitive eco-system, the Caroni Swamp became a premier tourist attraction in Trinidad and Tobago known throughout the world. Both locals and foreigners are taken by Nanan’s Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tours everyday into the Caroni Swamp to view the Scarlet Ibis – a National Treasure. Note: Other significant Pioneer in this sphere was Malcolm Barcant (documentation of our Butterflies).