Plant Vetiver Grass For Protection Of River Banks, Reddy Tells Villagers
Due to climate change it is having an impact on our rivers and we are asking that we use nature itself to provide a solution to a problem created by nature and the vetiver grass stabilisation programme that we have is a sustainable solution, it is cheap and it is within our means to carry out.
Tuesday 16 March 2021 | 14:17
The Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment (second from right), Mahendra Reddy and the Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe (first from right) with members of Emuri Village in Sigatoka planting the first rows of vetiver grass on March 15, 2021.
The Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Mahendra Reddy is encouraging communities and villages to get into planting vetiver grass to safeguard the riverbanks from eroding.
Mr Reddy’s comments came after he officiated at the launch of the Tuva River Riverbank Rehabilitation Programme at Emuri Village in Sigatoka yesterday.
The launch was also in dedication to the International Day for Action for Rivers.
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He said it was now a race against time to protect our river banks across the country and in the last 18 months members of the ministry planted vetiver grass at about 30 rivers. He said this was done to secure and stabilise the banks of the rivers.
“There is no end to it because we are not taking pride in protecting our rivers,” Mr Reddy told villagers of Emuri.
“Due to climate change it is having an impact on our rivers and we are asking that we use nature itself to provide a solution to a problem created by nature and the vetiver grass stabilisation programme that we have is a sustainable solution, it is cheap and it is within our means to carry out.
“We have lost large cracks of arable land because of river bank erosion here and also in Navua, Sigatoka, Ba and Rewa River to some extent. We are making a plea to every community and village in this country that you must take ownership of the river that you have in your community, village and alongside your farm land. We are willing to provide you with free planting material for vetiver grass and I suggest that you start planting to stabilise the river.”
There are currently three established three vetiver grass nurseries located in Nadi, Nausori and Labasa.
He said the waterway was a critical element to everyone.
Mr Reddy also said that over the last two decades people neglected the waterways by putting chemicals in the waterways for personal gains.
He said the issue needed to be dealt with at the catchment areas where people were involved in unsustainable agriculture practices.
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