Forest Fires Cause Huge Loss: Rokobiau
Fiji Pine Limited manager Pita Rokobiau reminded villagers of Visogo that burning a forest is an offence.
In 2017, the Fiji Pine Limited lost 2500 hectares of trees because of fire.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Forest Osea Naiqamu, he said this was a significant loss to the company given that the area burned was almost 10 per cent of their production area.
“The loss of forests because of fires does not only result in economic loss, but also the loss of biodiversity, both above and below ground, accelerating soil loss,” Mr Rokobiau said.
“Frequent burning of some of our landscapes has badly degraded the land to the extent that it would take a very long time for the land to recover if at all.
“The uncontrolled burning in many areas is a major concern that threatens the survival of our forests and future planting of timber, bioenergy or reforestation of degraded areas.
“The loss of forests is also causing siltation and drying up of some of our streams.
The total forest area for Vanua Levu is estimated at around 382,055 hectares or around 35 per cent of the total national forest area.
“Native forests make up around 82 per cent of this total cover, followed by Fiji Pine and mahogany plantations and mangrove at eight per cent, seven per cent and three per cent,” he said.
“With such a forest cover it urgently required a review of our natural forests – like focussing more on the provision of ecosystem services and much less on the supply of timber.
“In this regard, we will need to ensure that our plantation forests are established and managed as such that they can meet all our future timber needs,” he said.
Corporal Waisale Sokoiwasa of the Northern Community Policing said the Forest Act prohibits any damage or destruction to forest reserves or vegetation and this includes deliberate burning of our forests.
Corporal Sokoiwasa said anyone caught would be taken to task.
He stated that while they had noted an increase in forest fires in Vanua Levu, they were not receiving any reports from the public.
“In most instances, the community knows the culprit, but family and traditional ties often prevent them from reporting,” he said.
Villagers questioned the boundaries in which they could act if they catch anyone burning their forests.
“They have been reminded that the village committee can arrest the person and then inform Police who will then come, re-arrest him and charge him accordingly,” he said.
“Anyone found guilty of the offence is liable for a fine not exceeding $10,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both.” Edited by Percy Kean
nacanieli.tuilevuka@fijisun.com.fj
