Functions & Services

Brief History

The Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve is an excellent example of a reforested degraded site that has retained much of its natural beauty. The Department of Forestry leased and gazetted 913 acres of native land in 1953, and then established a forest of predominantly large leaved mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). Ten years later, approximately 25% of the total reserve area (92 ha) was set aside and declared the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park in 1963.

From 1970, the current walking tracks, look-out platforms and public facilities were built. Native plants also re-established themselves back in the Park during this time and a user-pay system was introduced in 1995.

Site and Geography

The Colo-i-Suva Forest Park is situated on Princes Road, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the central business district of Fiji’s capital, Suva. The Park is on the south-eastern face along a ridgetop and is thus directly exposed to the south-east trade winds that come from the cool southern Lomaiviti and Lau waters. As a result, the Park enjoys significantly cooler and wetter weather than the greater Suva area, with rainfall often being at least 3000 mm annually.

Fauna

A wide range of Viti Levu’s land animals are also found in the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. The freshwater life includes eels, gobies, other fish, aquatic insects, snails and prawns. Naturally are the Fijian Blossom-Bat and the Pacific Flying-Fox; while the Small Indian Mongoose and Black Rat are introduced invasive species. There are also Giant Forest Gecko, Fiji Tree-frog, and 28 species of birds, of which four are introduced and invasive (e.g. Indian Mynah). Fiji’s Barking Imperial Pigeon can often be heard all year around in the Park, as well as the Masked Shining-Parrot, which is also commonly seen flying through the tree canopy.

Opening and Closing Hours:

The Colo-i-Suva Forest Park generally opens at 9 am and closes at 4 pm daily, even in the weekends and on public holidays. However, the Park may close for safety reasons during periods of adverse weather– this is decided by the Forest Park Staff on duty at the time.

The Colo-i-Suva Forest Park serves to foster an appreciation of forests to many local and international visitors. Activities in the Park include walking, swimming, forest bathing and bird watching.

Please note: The walking tracks can be extremely slippery so be sure to wear good footwear. Please do not leave any valuables unattended. The cul-de-sac close to the Lower Pool is for drop-off/pick-up only – NOT for parking.

The Role

The division is responsible for the management of forest information system and databank; management of natural forests through permanent sample plots, administration of mapping and surveys of forest boundaries and forest functions and services; and coordination and facilitation of forest international and regional conventions and agreements.

There are two main sections; Forest Resource Monitoring which is GIS (Geographic Information systems) /Remote Sensing and Forest Resource Assessment which is Data collection and Field Surveys.

Forest Resource Monitoring

◍ GIS and mapping

◍ Overlay analysis

◍ Annual logged area calculations

◍ Harvesting plans

◍ Satellite images analysis and remote sensing

◍ Image correction

◍ Image enhancement

◍ Visual interpretation

◍ Forest Cover mapping

Forest Resource Assessment

◍ Forest inventories

◍ Tree measurements

◍ Tree counting

◍ Timber Volume Estimates

◍ Analysis from existing data from past inventories

◍ REDD+ pilot sites data collections

◍ MESCAL Project

◍ Rewa delta mangrove

The Forest Resource Assessment & Conservation division is responsible for Map Production in the provision of such services:

◍ 1:10,000 Harvest plan maps

◍ Forest Inventory maps

◍ Forest Survey Maps

◍ Forest Type Maps

◍ Logged and re-logged areas

Our Role

To undertake applied research that seeks to develop new understanding and new technologies that will improve the ways in which resource owners manage and use forests and forest related resources to meet current and future needs of expanding populations, enhance community livelihood, economic growth and poverty reduction while protecting the forest resources and environmental integrity through sustainable management.

Our Programs

◍ Seed Technology

◍ Nursery Practice

◍ Tree Improvement

◍ Forest Health & Entomology

◍ Natural Forest Management

Our Services

◍ Seed sales for plantation species (Mahogany)

◍ Seed export

◍ Bio-security facilitation for transporting tree planting materials to maritime islands

◍ Product research and development

◍ Capacity building for forest resource owners on sandalwood ventures

◍ Technical advocacy to interest groups on planting of tree species of economic value

The division was first established as a timber research unit within the research division at Colo-i-Suva in 1961.

The division consists of 5 sections which are:

a. Wood Property Section

◍ Providing technical information and advisory services to the trade profession and consumers on basic wood properties based on research.

◍ Providing advice on technical assistance to the trade on seasoned operations.

b. Sawmill Section

◍ Provide advice and technical assistance to the sawmilling industry aimed at improving quality and quantity of sawn outturn and also to the wood working industry in support of value-added concepts.

◍ Operating the divisions sawmilling and wood working facilities on a commercial basis.

c. Preservation Section

◍ Providing advice and technical assistance to the trade on preservative treatment operations.

◍ Providing technical information and advisory services to the profession and consumers on preservative treatment.

d. Timber Inspection Section

◍ Promoting the efficient and effective use of timber and timber products both locally and export.

◍ Ensuring that the forestry interests are protected under existing quarantine operations.

e. Trade and Manufacturing Accounts Section (TMA)

◍ Sales and commercialization of timber products produced from research work.

◍ Providing sawmilling, saw-doctoring and wood machining services.

◍ Sale of sawn timber and custom-made furniture items.

◍ Analysis of treated timber samples.

Our Role

The Fiji Forestry Training Centre (FTC) is the product of Government’s commitment to building the capacity of the forest sector to enable the full realization and delivery of the recommendations of the Forest Sector Review (1988). Further given the anticipated boost in log production from Mahogany and Pine plantations (Vanua Levu) and the current trend in the rapid turnover in skilled workers in the primary forest sub-sector, there is an urgent need to instigate training for all aspects and at all levels of the workforce in the sector.

The goal of FTC is thus to train professionally qualified personnel in terms of knowledge and technical skills required in forestry activities bringing about attitudinal changes that will result in improved standards of forest management while maximizing utilization of forest products within the next ten years.

The first training program was offered in 1969 with the aim of building the capacity of forestry officers to work for the Government of Fiji for the activation of Forest Policies and Legislation. The practice has continued through the provision forestry technical training to school leavers for the award of Forest Technician Certificate. Graduates are recruited into the Civil Service as Forest Guards.

Training Programmes

FTC implements 3 training programs:

◍ Advance Certificate in Forest Management (2 years)

◍ Technical skills training (CBT) Short courses

◍ Resource owners training (2 weeks)