Cakaudrove landowners demand fair share from logging proceeds

A group of landowners want their fair share of proceeds from forest har­vest operations on their land.

Mataqali Navoaka in Cakaudrove said landowner consent was contingent on com­mitments that included the construction of at least six houses.

Turaga ni yavusa Vadrani, Semesa Tubese, said landowners' consent would also de­pend on commitments about construction project in Savusavu Town.

Mr Tubese made the comments following an environment impact assessment (EIA) consultation at Wailevu district, Caka­udrove, this week.

Approval to harvest native trees would only be granted if selective harvesting methods were used to ensure the sustaina­bility of forest resources for future genera­tions, he said.

The landowning unit owns 859 acres or 74 per cent of native forest cover, which has been proposed for leasing for harvesting purposes.

The interested contractor is Dreketi Con­tractors Ltd - a logging company with a long-standing operational history in the Northern Division spanning more than five decades - said the estimated volume of har­vest was 3000 cubic metres of timber.

Native tree species planned for harvesting include Dakua Salusalu, Dakua Makadre, Damanu, Vesi, Kauvula, Rosarosa and some mahogany.

Mataqali Navoaka in Cakaudrove said landowner consent was contingent on com­mitments that included the construction of at least six houses.

Turaga ni yavusa Vadrani, Semesa Tubese, said landowners' consent would also de­pend on commitments about construction project in Savusavu Town.

Mr Tubese made the comments following an environment impact assessment (EIA) consultation at Wailevu district, Caka­udrove, this week.

Approval to harvest native trees would only be granted if selective harvesting methods were used to ensure the sustaina­bility of forest resources for future genera­tions, he said.

The landowning unit owns 859 acres or 74 per cent of native forest cover, which has been proposed for leasing for harvesting purposes.

The interested contractor is Dreketi Con­tractors Ltd - a logging company with a long-standing operational history in the Northern Division spanning more than five decades - said the estimated volume of har­vest was 3000 cubic metres of timber.

Northern Division spanning more than five decades - said the estimated volume of har­vest was 3000 cubic metres of timber.

Native tree species planned for harvesting include Dakua Salusalu, Dakua Makadre, Damanu, Vesi, Kauvula, Rosarosa and some mahogany.

The harvesting zone is divided into two compartments, each covering about 370 acres.

EIA consultant Nirbhay Chand said the contractor had a one-year lease agreement with the landowners for access to the har­vesting area.

Merchantable native trees would be har­vested based on species-specific diameter limits; some trees were eligible for harvest­ing at diameters of 30 metres, while others were at 40 or 50 metres.

He said Dreketi Contractors Ltd's opera­tions should comply with the Fiji Forest Code of Practice to ensure sustainable harvesting.

"We are here to inform the landowners about the best manner in which harvesting should be carried out to avoid environmen­tal impacts," Mr Chand said.

The area of harvest had numerous rivers and streams that needed to be protected during harvesting, a fact that the contrac­tors were aware of, Mr Chand said.

"Rural communities depend heavily on rivers and streams, so buffer zones will be established," he said.

Buffer zones of 10, 20 and 30 metres would be enforced, depending on the size of the body of water, and harvesting would strict­ly adhere to these demarcations, Mr Chand said.

Harvesting operations would not be con­ducted during rainy periods or on low-slope areas, he said.

Dreketi Contractors Ltd was present at the consultation but declined an interviewed.

Mr Chand said a harvesting plan was pre­pared for the Department of Environment's assessment.

"Under the plan, trees will be harvested close to designated landing areas," he said.

The environment assessment impact exer­cise will also identify bird species at risk, and outline mitigation measures for the contractor.

An environmental bond will be calculated and attached to the project, to be paid to the Department of Environment.

Final approval will be required from the iTaukei Land Trust Board, the Department of Environment and the Department of Forestry before a harvesting licence is is­sued.