Acting PM Signs Project To Curb Biodiversity Threat
Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says it is important that we invest in strict border control to protect our economy.
He made the remarks when he signed the Project Document for the Invasive Alien Species Project in Suva yesterday.
“The knowledge of the Invasive Alien Species has increased and the devastation that it can actually cause is very important for us to know and address that,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum then quoted Section 40, sub-section 1 from the Constitution: “Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the right to have the natural world protected for the benefit of present and future generations through legislative and other measures.”
He said: “We have to be creative and innovative to be able to partner with all the respective stakeholders to be able to ensure that we are able to protect our environment for our future generations.”
He also said that inability to address crucial aspects led to devastation of both marine and terrestrial environments.
This project grant is accessed by the Government from Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF) of US$3.5 million (F$7.25 million).
“Today marks the official beginning of the project aimed at curbing one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the Pacific, the invasive alien species,” said Bakhodir Burkhanov, the United Nations Development Programme Country Director.
The title of the project is “Building Capacities to Address Invasive Alien Species to Enhance the Chances of Long-term Survival of Terrestrial Endemic and Threatened Species on Taveuni Island, Surrounding Islets and Throughout Fiji.” The target time frame for the project is from 2018-2023.
The key areas of concern are islands of Qamea, Matagi and Laucala.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
