The use of natural based solutions such as vetiver grass to address issues associated with the direct effects of climate change as an ideal resolve, demonstrates the care for rivers and is indicative of efforts to avoid rivers from being suffocated with silt.
This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy during the commissioning of the Naveicovatu Vetiver Project in Tailevu today.
Dr. Reddy said a new journey of using vetiver grass to control river bank erosion had begun with the use of ecosystem-based solutions to address natural problems.
“Rivers and streams are dynamic systems as they are constantly changing. The natural equilibrium, however, is exacerbated through our activities. Riverbank erosion is often accelerated through flooding, unsustainable land use, stream management, over-clearing of catchment and riparian vegetation, and poorly managed gravel extraction,” he said.
Dr. Reddy highlighted that unattended river bank erosion may have a major consequence on human settlements and displacement was likely to occur in riverside regions where people were vulnerable to riverbank erosion, and this has multiple socioeconomic impacts including loss of homes, agricultural land, assets, human health, and loss of accumulated human capital.
“In Fiji, a considerable percentage of the population live along the banks of meandering rivers and in other high-risk zones. While they have lived in harmony with the river in the past, things have started to change now. These communities are more vulnerable now than ever before. Their personal safety and shelter, as well as sources of their livelihoods, are a threat from river bank erosion and its impacts,” said Hon. Reddy.
The Ministry of Waterways and Environment, through the Drainage and Flood Protection Programme intend to improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Fijians living along the rivers by providing adequate infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of the flood and river bank on our communities.
“This project specifically is aimed at increasing the resilience of these communities to river bank erosion and mass failure of the riverbanks. It also demonstrates our dedication to ensure our rivers are healthy and pristine.
“The purpose of this project is to restore river banks which are vulnerable to erosion through an integrated ecosystem-based community approach. The goal of this project is to reduce riverbank erosion through an ecological approach using vetiver technology, planned, delivered and maintained through communities, making this project a unique one,” added Dr. Reddy.
“It is unique in the sense that it empowers the community to defend themselves from river bank erosion, and in doing so, evolving the techniques and building the necessary capacity to protect their communities.”
This project further reflects the responsibility and work taken up by the Naveicovatu community towards ensuring our environment is in a better state for the future.
The Minister applauded the Naveicovatu community for having such foresight and taking up this responsibility to secure their existence from the encroaching river.
In doing so, Dr Reddy said the community are doing their part to help sequestrate carbon and help our nation achieve our commitments under climate agreements.
“We as a community need to take responsibility to ensure we are safe and this project perfectly illustrates an empowered community. With capital from the Ministry of Waterways and Environment and technical insights from the Ministry of Agriculture, the community has organized itself to take the lead to address river bank erosion in their village.
Other communities are being urged to use ecosystem-based approaches to address river bank erosion in their respective communities and at the same time generate income for the village community.
“This project is designed in such a way that the ownership and sustainability of the project stays with the community,” said Dr. Reddy.
The Vetiver for Riverbank Stabilization Project coincided with the “International Day of Action for Rivers”.