The Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park, located in Navunibau Village, has officially opened its doors, signifying a major step forward in Fiji’s commitment to sustainable forest management and community-driven development initiatives. During the opening ceremony, Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu highlighted that this facility is the third community-based forest park established under the Ministry’s program, showcasing the vital role that local communities can play in managing and profiting from their natural resources.
Minister Bainivalu emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the park, which include enhancing education, recreational opportunities, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and creating pathways for income generation within the community. The park empowers the Mataqali Namara to earn revenue through ecotourism and bamboo-centric products while playing a crucial role in environmental protection, adhering to Fiji’s collective responsibility towards conservation.
The initiatives reflected in the development of Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park align with national goals such as fostering a green economy through ecotourism and agroforestry, generating new employment opportunities, alleviating poverty, and contributing to the country’s targets for net-zero emissions. Furthermore, the park aids in the protection of local biodiversity and supports the global conservation target of preserving 30% of the earth’s resources by 2030, while also acknowledging the significant role of indigenous communities in safeguarding Fiji’s rich natural heritage.
Bainivalu also mentioned that recent forestry legislation reinforces this commitment by formally acknowledging the Vanua as critical stakeholders, ensuring that decision-making and benefits are retained by landowners, and highlighting the importance of community-led forest management practices.
With its various educational and ecological features, the Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park is poised to become a model and learning hub for other communities across Fiji, exemplifying how sustainable resource management can yield lasting environmental protection and economic advantages. This initiative reflects hope for a greener future while bolstering community resilience and engagement in conservation efforts.
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