1 Million Trees Planted for Fiji
The Minister of Forestry, Honourable Osea Naiqamu is inspired by seeing the people of Fiji developing a deeper appreciation for the value of trees and forests during the process of planting 1million trees on the ground for Fiji.
Minister Naiqamu echoed this sentiment at a press conference to announce the achievement of 1million trees planted in 10 months under Fiji’s tree planting initiative.
The press conference was held at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park on Monday, 11th November.
“Fiji has collectively planted 1 million trees in 10 months and this achievement needs to be celebrated for several reasons,” Minister Naiqamu said.
“It shows our determination to build climate resilient communities and contribute to the global movement to address climate change.”
Minister Naiqamu said the achievement also depicts Government’s ultimate goal of building a prosperous, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable Nation.
“This massive tree-planting is also part of 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.”
“We all know that without a habitable planet for our children to inherit, all of our work to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development goals will be futile.”
On January 8 this year, the President His Excellency Major-General Jioji Konusi Konrote launched the 4 Million Trees in 4Years initiative at the State House.
Since then, the people of Fiji and visitors including the United Nations Secretary-General and many other dignitaries have contributed to planting an average of 100,000 trees per month for the past 10 months.
“I wish to thank His Excellency the President for continuing to champion tree planting in virtually all the places he has visited around the country,” Minister Naiqamu said.
“I thank the Vanua and the landowners in the 14 provinces for giving their land and agreeing to partner with Government in this significant responsibility.”
Minister Naiqamu also acknowledged the private sector including numerous companies and financial institutions, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, religious organisations, regional and international institutions and individuals for their tremendous support.
“This year’s target would not have been achieved without their contribution,” Minister Naiqamu said.
Given the seriousness and the urgency to address climate change, Government through the Ministry of Forestry has now increased its tree planting target from 4Million Trees in 4Years to 30Million Trees in 15Years.
This new target was announced by the Prime Minister Honourable Voreqe Bainimarama whilst attending the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York in September.
“The increased target is part of Fiji’s nature-based solutions to the threat of climate change and it should send a clear message that even though our carbon emissions are very minimal, we are not just going to wait for highly industrialised countries to take action,” Minister Naiqamu said.
Minister Naiqamu said with the increased target, the Ministry of Forestry is repositioning itself to coordinate next year’s tree planting which will be 2million trees for 2020.
“The Ministry has allocated about 60 per cent of its staff and both finances and assets like vehicles specifically to plant trees and help address climate change while also growing our economy.”
Minister Naiqamu said the Ministry is currently prioritising the planting of highly degraded areas and intend to increase the capacity of the current nurseries to supply at least 60 per cent of seedling.
“We will train and empower communities, with a focus on women and youth groups to establish their own nurseries to provide at least 20 per cent of planting material,” Minister Naiqamu said.
It is anticipated that the massive tree-planting program will also increase the forestry sector’s contribution to the nation’s economic growth and Gross Domestic Product.