“Forest and Food”, which highlights a fundamental truth that Fiji’s forests are not just landscapes of trees but living systems that nourish, sustain, and protect us.
Today (21:03:25) is marked as the International Day of Forests, a day that was declared to recognise and to celebrate the invaluable role that forests play in sustaining life on Earth.
The Minister for Itaukei Affairs, Hon. Ifereimi Vasu, who was present at the celebrations in Naivucini, Naitasiri, said that in Fiji and across the Pacific, forests have long provided food security for the people. From the delicious wild yams, fresh forests, jungle ferns, towering dawa, wi, ivi, mango, breadfruit, and coconut trees that have fed generations, forests have always been our silent providers.
"Government, through the Ministry of Forestry, is mandated by law to develop and implement effective policy and legal frameworks that will support the sustainable management and use of the nation’s forest resources, both natural and plantations, for the benefit of all our people. The ministry’s focus is to increase the forest sector’s contribution to the national economy, enhance the social, cultural and environmental safeguards in the development of our rural communities, and also support global, regional and national efforts in combating the impacts of climate change by building community resilience and reducing biodiversity loss,” said Minister Vasu.
According to the Ministry of Forestry records, around 19.3 million trees have been planted since the initiative began in 2019. This is equivalent to 17,473.39 ha and is 64% of the programme's target. The trees planted included both native and exotic species, some of which are multipurpose trees that would contribute to the provision of various ecosystem services such as habitat for birds and bats, timber, erosion control, as well as food sources for humans, birds and animals.
“For the last financial year (2023-2024), around $106,126 have been paid out to 25 landowning units who had contributed to the planting efforts, including the supply of seedlings and the planting and maintenance of the planted trees,” said Minister Vasu.
The Minister for Forestry also highlighted the importance of increasing Fiji’s forest areas as well as enhancing the quality of forests, which are vital to ongoing efforts in enhancing capacity, as an island nation, to adapt to the impacts of climate change and other changes.