Press Release Detail

In a bid to accelerate and maximize its Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) practices, from August 2021, the Fiji Pine Limited embarked on implementing Forest Management activities such as thinning and pruning as part of its operational silvicultural practice. This was done to ensure a steady supply of the diverse products that were needed in the local and overseas markets.

Thinning Operations

In a normal plantation forest, trees often compete for growing space, sunlight, and nutrients. Thinning allows for the natural development process of a forest. At Fiji Pine Limited, thinning provides an outlet for improving tree yields and growth. Within its 6 forest stations Fiji wide, teams of 10 - 12 individuals from the landowning units were deployed to carry out thinning on 4year old plantations as well as pruning of 6year old plantations, and slashing of pre-existing vegetation. 

Pre-commercial thinning is a labour-intensive and high-cost operation. Its application is usually confined to naturally reseeded areas, where there are too many stems per acre to allow good early growth. Thinning is done by cutting, chopping, and slashing, an exercise that requires intense planning and where necessary station heads have had to revise plans to accommodate the thinning, pruning, and slashing activities within its operational schedules.

For the respective Fiji Pine forest stations, this means;  

1.      Procured forest growth and rate

2.      Increased landowner participation in forest management practices 

3.   Heightened awareness of resource management amongst Land Owning  Units (LOUs) to protect their forests 

4.      Proactive approach towards good public relations

5.    Increased forest sustainability  

According to Mr. Vimlesh Kumar, Fiji Pine Chief Executive Officer “the thinning operation provides the opportunity for landowners to understand how forestry works by engaging them in the work culture. It also allows the Pine Group to elevate the socio-economic aspect of landowner livelihoods within the remote rural areas of Fiji Pine leased areas in both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu”.

Operating within COVID-19 restrictions, Fiji Pine decentralised forestry operations like thinning in order to ensure the successful execution of its forest management plans. This was no easy feat, as careful consideration of COVID protocols were observed / implemented from recruitment to the operational phase.

Restocking Drive

Planting operations for 2021 stands at a record breaking 4,213.40 hectares. This is a  momentous achievement, not only for Fiji Pine Limited but for the landowning units as well as the partnership for restocking equates to the planting of 4,680,643 million pine trees. The restocking is testament to the Pine Groups commitment to ensuring that forest sustainability is executed with proper planning and strict adherence to the vision and goals set by the company.

Heading into 2022, Fiji Pine is aiming high and is optimistic of reaching its restocking target of 7,300ha. Teamwork, resilience, and good camaraderie is what will drive the Fiji Pine Limited team to achieving this target. The company will invest close to $8million for the restocking campaign.