Taveuni residents call for action on illegal dumping

Taveuni residents are calling for urgent action to tackle illegal rubbish dumping, warning that growing waste problems are polluting beaches, roads, communities and natural attractions across the island.

Residents say the increasing amount of illegally dumped waste is damaging the environment and undermining Taveuni's reputation as one of Fiji's premier tourism destinations.

Vuna resident Abhishek Sapra said rubbish dumping had reached concerning levels, with far more waste now being found around the island than in the past.

He said one practical solution would be to establish rubbish collection points in selected areas where residents could dispose of waste before it was transported to the northern dump site.

Mr Sapra said residents were being forced to spend their own time and money cleaning up areas affected by illegal dumping.

"We are having to take time away from our work and we are expected to clean it all up with our own resources and manpower," Mr Sapra said.

He said much of the rubbish comprised alcohol bottles and cans, packaged food waste and household rubbish, including in areas frequented by tourists.

During a recent community clean-up at Vuna Blowhole, residents removed large quantities of household and construction waste from the coastline.

Mr Sapra said he was shocked to find disposable nappies, plastic containers, aluminium cans, roofing iron and plastic barrels wedged between rocks.

He said the site was too high above sea level for the rubbish to have washed ashore, suggesting it had been deliberately dumped.

About 20 men, women and children took part in the clean-up.

Mataqali member Nicholas Morgan Baleikoro urged visitors to respect the island's natural sites and warned that continued dumping could affect public access.

"If you can bring it in, you can take it out," Mr Baleikoro said.

He said people needed to understand that access to natural areas was a privilege and not a place to dispose of rubbish.

Another resident, Anita Devi of Qila, Taveuni, said the rubbish problem was a major concern and did not reflect well on the island.

Ms Devi said continued dumping could damage Taveuni's image as a destination renowned for its natural beauty.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has previously encouraged communities to work with local authorities to address waste management challenges, but residents say a long-term disposal solution is needed for Taveuni.

Questions have been sent to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change seeking comment on the issue and possible long-term solutions.