Forestry Team Conducts Forest Conservation Awareness on Garden Island
The Conservation Unit of the Ministry of Forestry remains
dedicated to protecting Fiji's natural resources, promoting sustainable
practices, and fostering community participation in the management of nature
for maximum environment benefits.
For the first time on Taveuni Island, Vanua Levu, a team
from the Unit expanded its efforts by conducting a Forest Conservation
Awareness programme with four high schools on the island last week (June 12-16,
2023). This included Niusawa Methodist High School, Bucalevu Secondary School,
Holy Cross College and Taveuni South Secondary School.
The programme aimed to educate and inspire the next
generation of leaders about the importance of biodiversity conservation,
sustainable practices, and the role of nature reserves in preserving Fiji's
natural heritage and the associated environmental returns.
As part of this initiative, two signboards were erected on
the island —one for Ravilevu Nature Reserve and another for Taveuni Forest
Reserve—to enhance visibility and raise awareness among students and the wider
community.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for the conservation of biodiversity and
its equitable and sustainable use, education is crucial and necessary for
mainstreaming biodiversity.
"The erosion of indigenous and local knowledge and
the associated decline in sustainable traditional land use threaten
biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as communities’ contributions to
accomplishing SDG 4 (inclusive and quality education). It is therefore vital to
integrate biodiversity into education and learning programmes," as per a
statement by UNESCO published in December 2022.
Forestry Officer Parks and Reserves Unit, Apisai Moce, who
led the awareness team, said that with the two reserves located on the island
of Taveuni (Taveuni Forest Reserve and Ravilevu Nature Reserve), it was
important to educate the young minds about the importance of these reserves and
the associated values realised with their protection.
"These Forests and Nature Reserves play a vital role
in preserving the natural heritage and biodiversity of your beloved island
including clean water and stable soils. However, we have recently witnessed an
alarming increase in encroachment issues, posing a significant threat to these
invaluable ecosystems," Mr Moce said.
"In light of this, the Conservation Unit has taken
the initiative to raise awareness among the next generation of leaders, and we
believe that your high school is an ideal platform to engage and educate the
young minds of Taveuni Island," he said.
The main objectives of the awareness programme included:
·
Educating students about the importance of
Forests and Nature Reserves in biodiversity conservation and ensuring their
continued ecosystem services
·
Raising awareness about the negative impacts
of encroachment and unsustainable practices on these reserves.
·
Promoting a sense of responsibility and
stewardship towards the environment among students
·
Encouraging students to become advocates for
the protection and preservation of our natural resources.
Mr Moce said that the awareness programme not only
empowered the students with knowledge and awareness but also inspired them to
become active participants in the conservation efforts on Taveuni Island.
"By instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in the youth, we
can contribute to building a sustainable future for our island community,"
he added.
Community engagement and awareness
Over the course of four weeks, the Conservation Unit completed extensive boundary demarcation work at Ravilevu Nature Reserve.
The primary objective was to establish clear boundaries and assess the extent of encroachment in order to protect and preserve the natural resources within the reserve and rehabilitate areas to restore what was lost.
According to Mr Moce, they were able to demarcate 17 kilometres of the reserve's perimeter instead of the initial 16 kilometres target after recruiting the assistance of 15 casual workers from the Vuna District.
This achievement Mr Moce highlighted the commitment of the Uni and its collaborative efforts with the local community.
During the boundary demarcation work, the team identified
several high-risk areas that were particularly vulnerable to encroachment.
These areas were within both Ravilevu Nature Reserve and the adjacent Taveuni
Forest Reserve.
In addition to raising awareness and encouraging community engagement in
schools, the team also conducted three general awareness sessions targeting
different stakeholders. These sessions were held at the Tutu Rural Farming
Training Centre, involving staff members as well as participants from the Young
Farmers Programme and Vuna Casual workers that were hired.
“Recognising the importance of addressing these threats, the Conservation Unit
conducted consultations with three farmers in the vicinity. These discussions were
aimed to raise awareness about the significance of nature reserves and promote
responsible land use practices among the local agricultural community. The
purpose of these engagements was to educate and engage these groups in
understanding the value of nature reserves, the importance of conservation, and
the need to mitigate encroachment activities,” Mr Moce added.