Hon. Ravu Says Innovation Incorporated with Traditional Knowledge will Help in the Management of Our Forests
The 2024
national celebration of the International Day of Forests was held at Conua
District School in Nawamagi, Nadroga Province on Thursday.
The celebration was officiated by the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Honourable Kalaveti Vodo Ravu.
While delivering his official address, Hon. Ravu said the Ministry acknowledges the urgent need for innovative approaches to protect, manage and develop our forests for the prosperity of both present and future generations.
“In Forestry, we now use drones to assess our forests, to check illegal logging and to see our forests grow every year. We also use GIS and remote sensing, all new technology and innovation which helps us to be more productive and provide correct information to the people of Fiji,” Hon. Ravu said.
He added that there are other innovative ideas such as Forest Emission Reduction Programme that assist in the fight against climate change, tissue culture that assist in growing trees that are difficult to grow, gadgets to measure our forests as well as machines that generate useful materials and products from waste wood.
“Another innovation that is happening right here in your backyard is the Nabou Green Energy. It uses all waste wood from forests and converts it into energy to generate power. It not only clears debris from forests but helps us rely less on fossil fuels that we buy from overseas and which are one of the main drivers of climate change,” Hon. Ravu said.
However. Hon. Ravu said that while we embrace these innovative ideas it does not mean we stop using traditional knowledge.
“Traditional knowledge is the core of our forest sector and we need this traditional knowledge to harness the many benefits that forests can provide by complementing it with technology and innovation,” he said.
Hon. Ravu added that while the Ministry rely on traditional knowledge to better manage our forests, it also capitalise on modern technology, such as the online licensing system that has been adopted by the Ministry which makes it easier for resource owners to acquire licenses.
“So let’s continue to pass on our traditional knowledge to our younger generation and allow them also to gain knowledge and education so they can use both their traditional knowledge and technological innovations to enhance the management and development of our forests,” he said.
Hon. Ravu also urged for our communities to actively participate in Forestry Programs so we can all collectively contribute to sustainable forests, biodiversity conservation, clean water and air and resilience to climate change.
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