Saving Asa

Social media and social movements appear to go hand in hand nowadays. Social movements which originate about Trinidadian topics seem to be impossible for those in authority to control. Facebook and other independent media are being used by marginalized groups to bring attention to causes. In Trinidad, an online petition was started to put a stop to quarrying which was dangerously close to the Asa Wright Nature Centre. The petition insists that business would have been affected, in addition to the flora and fauna.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-quarrying-near-asa-wright.html

Surprisingly despite the petition only having over 700 signatures, the Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine has ordered National Quarries Ltd to stop the quarrying and went so far as to order immediate reafforestation.
 Their explanations for halting must be taken with a grain of salt as the government would not do things against their own interest. The number of signatures does not seem to be enough to sway a government. Outlish magazine even recently published an article about how Trinidadians are unwilling to take part in social movements and posted it on Facebook under the heading:

How can we make protests to stop the quarrying near Asa Wright Nature Centre sexy, and get more people involved? 
Check out Brendon O'Brien's article in this week's Outlish for inspiration.

http://www.outlish.com/wheres-the-sexiness-in-the-struggle-for-social-change/  

So what is the real reason for stopping the quarrying? I am not sure in this country that a couple of signatures and Facebook groups protesting could bring about such a change. I can't help but notice how this change conveniently coincides with the government looking as though it is responding to the cries of it's people.