A two-day training and planting of trees programme was recently conducted on the island of Mali in Vanua Levu by the Ministry of Forests.

The main objective for the replanting programme in Mali Island is to focus on the rehabilitation of degraded forests with native species.

The project includes reforestation of native trees and sandalwood as a source of income generation and of course the planting of native trees targets to improve the native species stock in Mali Island.

The three villages on the island of Mali have included forestry projects in their village management plan which was developed through Community Capacity Building (CCB) and facilitated by the Commissioner Northern’s office.

Acting Divisional Forestry Officer (Northern Division), Uraia Dusilele said the workshop and the actual replanting programme was to provide a greater awareness on the importance of forests to their livelihood.

“Participants also learnt more on the ecosystem, watercycle and sustainable resource management as well as the nurturing of sandalwood seeds and seedlings,” Mr Dusilele said.

“Participants also learnt more on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) which is a policy that directs all forestry implementation projects taking into consideration the impact of climate change.

“Participants needed to learn and understand the importance of reforestation programme on the island as this will contribute a lot on the offset of carbon in the ozone layer.”

Technical officers also highlighted on the negative effects of burning forests to forest ecosystem thus affecting the livelihood of current and future generations of Mali Island.

The six forestry staff will be engaged throughout the year with similar trainings and planting programmes in other villages and communities in Vanua Levu like the Mataqali Teiteiciva,Vuniwai Village in Saqani, Kia Island, Navakuru, Naweni and Vanuavou.

Source: Minisitry of Forests

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj