Tribe Signs Up For Tree-Planting Initiative

30/05/2019

THE elders of a village in the Macuata Province have allocated a piece of land for a tree planting initiative to help protect the environment.

This initiative was a successful collaboration between Yavusa Sauniduna of Dogoru Village, the Fiji Development Bank and the Ministry of Forests.

Speaking on behalf of the elders, Semi Radradra said with yaqona as their main source of income, the farmers have practiced shifting agriculture over the years.

“Before cultivation, we clear land which involves tree felling, this will be cultivated for a few years before we move on to another piece of land, leaving the last one barren,” Mr Radradra said.

“And because of this, our farmers in the village have their yaqona farms far from the village since we have utilised the ones closer to the village.

“The Dogoru Tree Planting initiative is our attempt to plant trees on this barren land to help stop environment degradation and to help fight against climate change.”

Minister for Forests Osea Naiqamu, while officiating at theevent, acknowledged the commitment by the villagers and the Fiji Development Bank in supporting Fiji’s Tree Planting initiative.

“We intend to work with national and international development partners, civil society, the private sector and every Fijian to develop greener towns and cities, and to maintain and protect our forests and pristine natural environment,” Minister Naiqamu said.

“The Government through the Ministry of Forestry is currently working on our Emissions Reduction Programme to enable Fiji to apply for the carbon funds and the even trade carbon.”

Since the launch of the Four Million Trees in Four Years initiative earlier this year, the Ministry has managed to plant 154,000 seedlings within 352 hectares.