Students Urged To Appreciate and Protect Forests, Trees
The Ministry of Forestry encourages educational institutes to engage their students in planting activities from time to time.
Ministry of Forestry's acting Executive Director Operation Services, George Vuki, said: "We can engage in tree-planting exercises as part of the Government’s responsibility to our children and youth – the future of our country. It is part of our investment in the young people to ensure that they live in a safe, prosperous and sustainable Fiji."
At the OISCA Children’s Forest Programme (CFP) Eco-Camp on June 30, 2023, Mr Vuki urged students to embrace what they had learned in the two-day camp about the importance of trees and forests.
Five schools (Bainimarama Vatutoko Primary, Nasikawa District, Namataku District, Bemana District and Noikoro District) participated in the eco-camp held at Noikono District School in Nadroga-Navosa's interior.
Children can never be too young to be taught to appreciate their forests and the essential roles that trees play in the natural ecosystem, said Mr Vuki.
Not far away from the eco-camp is Emalu Forest, which covers over seven hectares of pristine forest, is a pilot site for the Ministry’s REDD+ Programme.
The Mataqali Emalu are the traditional landowners of the Emalu pilot site, and their traditional residence is Draubuta Village.
The students were given an explanation of sustainable forest management by Mr Vuki, who also urged them to take care of the environment by protecting forests.
According to him, prudent management and use of our forest resources are necessary to maintain their health and productivity for years to come.
Following the formalities, Mr Vuki led a tree planting activity with the children and invited guests around the school compound.