Delivering Sustainable Forest Management for Fiji’s People and Wildlife

Funded through the Darwin Initiative, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti and BirdLife International have been working with the Fiji Department of Forests since 2014 to:
1. Engage pre-selected forest resource owners in the sustainable management of their forest using the tools of Socio-economic surveys, ‘Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site based assessment” (TESSA), the Fiji Forest Harvesting Code of Practice (2013) and Biodiversity monitoring (World Bird and Biodiversity Database);

Survey of trees in the TESSA plot in Wainawa Village, Rewa Province
Survey of trees in the TESSA plot in Wainawa Village, Rewa Province

2. Facilitate pre-selected forest resource owners to make informed decisions on the management of their forests through site-exchange programs and communications of case studies of forest stewardship by iTaukei landowners; and thereby,
3. Implement the Fiji Forest Policy and build a framework towards the establishment of Permanent Forest Estates and Sustainably Managed Forests through a collaborative and scientific approach with all stakeholders, especially the iTaukei landowners.

Mosses of Fiji's Montane Cloud Forests play an important role in the hydrological cycle. Maintenance of Permanent Forest Estates enable them to continue this important role.
Mosses of Fiji’s Montane Cloud Forests play an important role in the hydrological cycle. The maintenance of Permanent Forest Estates enables them to continue this important role.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fiji Forest Policy Statement (2007) on Permanent Forest Estates:

A Permanent Forest Cover including protected forest area network that provides the full range of ecological, economic and social functions at the local, national and global level (Fiji Forest Policy Section 3 page 19).

  • MV40_Eco Camp Natewa

To ensure Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and taking into account the multiple role of the forest, a sufficient area must be determined as Permanent Forest Estate (FFPS Section 4.3(3)).

MV40_Sago palm Culanuku_Amanda Rogers
The women of Culanuku depend on the critically endangered sago palm as an important source of income. Continued unsustainable harvesting will see the loss of not only an endemic species, but one that is iconic and has adorned the roofs of numerous hotels in Fiji

Establish PFEs based on Forest Functions derived from National Forest Inventory in line with the National Rural Land Use Policy and stakeholder interest

The rehabilitated fields of the critically endangered Sago palms of Culanuku Village in Serua
The rehabilitated fields of the critically endangered Sago palms of Culanuku Village in Serua

PFE established as an area designated for SFM which shall not be converted to other land uses. Forests with high biological diversity and environmental values will be set aside for protection within a National Protected Area System

No NET Loss of Fiji’s forest – the forest is managed

Project Sites:
1. Culanuku, Serua
2. Nabukelevu Village, Serua
3. Wainawa Village, Rewa
4. Korovuli Village, Macuata
5. Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsular
6. Naselesele Village, Taveuni, Cakaudrove
7. Lavena Village, Taveuni, Cakaudrove
8. Somosomo Village, Taveuni, Cakaudrove
9. Navakawau Village, Taveuni, Cakaudrove