The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) general manager Tevita Kuruvakadua said the tree planting exercise TLTB was taking part in would protect the environment.

“At TLTB we manage land, so we feel that this programme we have chosen in terms of good sustainable land management practices and also to support the importance of trees in Fiji,” Mr Kuruvakadua said.

TLTB staff members have been planting different species of trees in the Central, Western and Northern Divisions.

The Central Division TLTB staff members on Saturday planted trees at the Forest Park in Colo-i-Suva.

“The activity that we are doing today is in line with our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme for the TLTB,” he said.

“It is also part of a target in our strategic plan which all the board has to participate in the programme where we have to give back to the community.

“This is what we feel is an ideal to choose as part of our CSR programme.”

Mr Kuruvakadua said they had chosen this particular activity because it falls in line with TLTB’s vision.

“We believe that this activity that we are participating in today; the impact will be last longing which will contribute towards the economic development of Fiji.

“And also because of  new concepts in terms of climate change, RED+ and good sustainable land management practices, we feel we are contributing towards that.”

Mr Kuruvakadua said the Department of Forestry had agreed to rename areas that the TLTB staff planted as TLTB Native Reserve.

“This makes it more special to us. We have billboard that will be brought here next week and it will be out there to reflect this area that trees planted by TLTB staff,” he said.

“Like planting of trees is an important activity it contributes to sustainability of future forest and contributes to all aspects of our livelihoods.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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