The Ministry of Forestry will strengthen its surveillance of the forest reserves and forest parks after a man was caught red-handed littering along the Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve on Friday.

A Ministry of Forestry official caught a man with a truck, registration number EE:253 throwing rubbish along the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. The police was immediately alerted and the man was taken in for questioning.

The Ministry of Environment was also alerted and is likely to prosecute the litter-offender under the Environmental Management Act.

A Ministry of Forestry official caught a man with a truck, registration number EE:253 throwing rubbish along the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. Department of Information

Ministry of Forestry Permanent Secretary Pene Baleinabuli said the Ministry will not take the litter issue lightly.

Given the large amounts of rubbish in the forest park and along the Princess Road, not to mention other areas throughout the country, Mr. Baleinabuli said the Ministry will explore discussions with the Ministry of Environment to train and empower more forestry officials to double up as litter prevention officials.

“We want to help keep Fiji clean. A lot more members of the public also need to develop civic pride and take greater responsibility for the environment,” Mr. Baleinabuli said.