Restoring terrestrial biodiversity in Dreketi, Macuata
Geographical location:
Asia/Pacific > Pacific Ocean > Fiji
Summary
The province of Macuata on Vanua Levu is home to some of the poorest people on Fiji. The sustained health and integrity of natural resources are therefore inextricably linked to poverty alleviation.
The project aims to maintain and restore terrestrial biodiversity through indigenous plant restoration and protection, while improving household livelihoods through proper village agriculture programmes.
Background
Dreketi is a district in the Province of Macuata comprising of 7 villages all of which are located within the mid reaches and the upper reaches of the Dreketi river and their tributaries.
Populations living in these areas are almost wholly dependent on fishing and subsistence farming for their livelihoods.
The largest village located along the Dreketi river is Nabavatu village which is also the centre of traditional governance within the district. Dreketi has been a slow developing district compared to a number of other districts around Macuata.
A number of government led development projects have been implemented in the past including rice farming, cocoa farming and aqua fisheries projects and the most dominant of these been the forestry related development projects.
The Dreketi community hosts a composition of various ethnic and religious groups. In order of dominance the indigenous Fijian and Indo Fijian make up much of the population, whilst a small percentage of Chinese and European decent are scattered along the farming areas of the district.
Objectives
1. Establish and facilitate the implementation of appropriate land management.
2. Establish effective forest resources management plans and utilities to enhance landowners’ involvement in resources management.
3. Teach and provide training and supervisory services that cater for needs, such as monitoring of logging activities.
4. Ensure that maximum benefits accrue to landowners from the management and use of their forest resources.
5. Enforce the principle of sound environmental practice and sustainable forest management.
6. Enhance community involvement, maximizing community returns and sustainable forestry management.
Solution
The specific objective of the project is to preserve as much of the indigenous trees and plants through rearing native trees and plants to supply the reforestation needs of each community. Furthermore the project will also facilitate capacity building and income generation activities for the identified area.
