Landowning unit gives 400 acres for Tree planting initiative
A landowning unit in Sadro Village in the province of Serua has welcomed the 4Million Trees in 4Years Initiative and so graciously have given 400 acres of their land for tree planting.
Mataqali Nasamita headman Mr Seveci Batirerega who met the Minister for Forestry Hon Osea Naiqamu after he recently visited villages in the Serua Province described the tree planting initiative as a great project.
“Our mataqali owns about 32,000 acres of land with 800 acres being utilized by Fiji Hardwood for mahogany trees while the rest are still idle,” Mr Batirerega said.
“This tree planting initiative is another great way whereby we could properly utilize our land and also a way for us to contribute towards combating climate change and ensuring our future generation gets to live in a healthier environment in years to come.”
Mr Batirerega said they intend to plant mahogany, pine, sandalwood and other native species or fruit trees in the 400 acres they have allocated.
“Giving away our land for tree planting is just a start and we will consider giving more land once the tree planting project has been implemented on the 400 acres.”
Mr Batirerega added there are plans to also allocate land for the construction of a Hydro Dam in their land boundary but the tree planting initiative is a more worthwhile project to take part in.
Reforestation of Degraded Forest (RDF) Officer Mr Maleli Nakasava said the 400 acres of land will see 40,000 trees being planted depending on the spacing required for the growth of a tree species.
“Trees have different spacing requirements in order for them to grow well so with 400 acres we can plant an estimated 40,000 trees,” Mr Nakasava said.
“This is a great move by Mataqali Nasamita and they may not see the benefits now but in years to come,” he said.
Mr Nakasava added the trees being planted will not only boost Sadro Village’s participation in this tree planting initiative but be a big boost to the Serua Province as a whole in showing how communities can work together with Government.