Sunishma Singh, the sustainability manager for Tourism Fiji, recently praised the Vesi Reforestation Initiative and the establishment of a food forest at Namamanuca Primary School on Yanuya Island. She highlighted these efforts as exemplary models of collaboration for a common cause.
The Vesi Reforestation Initiative, in partnership with Jacks of Fiji, Tokoriki Island Resort, the Forestry and Agriculture Ministries, the Mamanuca Environment Society, and Tourism Fiji, aims to restore the vesi wood, an important material for crafting the traditional tanoa used in kava ceremonies. Singh noted that this initiative helps preserve cultural practices while ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy environment.
Moreover, the food forest project enabled children to engage in planting fruit and teak seedlings, which will not only benefit their communities but also foster agri-tourism and forestry tourism. Singh expressed that these planting activities symbolize aspirations for a sustainable future where cultural traditions and environmental wellness coexist.
The inaugural food forest event saw children planting varieties of seedlings around their school, contributing to the future food security and income potential of their village. Community leaders, including Taukei Yanuya Akuila Lati and Marica Vakacola from the Mamanuca Environment Society, joined Singh in planting trees to celebrate this meaningful project. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education were also present, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
This initiative, governed under Corporate Social Responsibility by Robert Ring, general manager of Tokoriki Island Resort, showcases the profound impact of community and partnerships in fostering sustainability and preserving cultural heritage. It is a hopeful reminder that collective efforts can yield significant changes for the environment and future generations.
Overall, the success of the Vesi Reforestation Initiative and the food forest planting event shines a light on the importance of environmental stewardship and community involvement. By actively engaging youth in sustainability practices today, we pave the way for a richer, more sustainable heritage tomorrow.
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