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CHIEF of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community Ricardo Bharath has expressed deep disappointment and concern over the abrupt termination of contracts under the National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme.

Speaking with Newsday on July 2, Bharath criticised the manner in which the programme was shut down, citing a lack of advance notice and the serious financial hardship now facing members of the First Peoples community.

“I understand it’s a new government, and they may want to make changes: that’s their right. But the way it was done is disheartening. These are honest, hard-working people. You don’t just wake up one morning and throw people onto the breadline without any warning or notice,” Bharath lamented.