Fiji’s Forestry Future: Can Sustainability and Community Efforts Revive the Landscape?

On February 25, 2025, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources organized a site visit to evaluate the Ministry of Forestry’s Annual Report for 2022-2023. The delegation, headed by Committee Chair Tomasi Tunabuna, included Kalaveti Ravu, Sachida Nand, Isikeli Tuiwailevu, Vijay Nath, and other members from the Parliament Secretariat.

The committee toured several significant forestry sites, including the Seed and Nursery Unit of the Forestry Research and Development Division, Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and the Treatment Plant of the Forest Products Trade and Training Division. They were received by Deputy Conservator of Forests – Operations, Mr. Apisai Rinamalo, and Deputy Conservator of Forests – Research and Development, Mr. Alifereti Naikatini.

During the visit, Tunabuna underscored the Ministry’s critical role in regulating forest resource management, emphasizing its support for community conservation efforts. The on-site assessments provided the committee with firsthand insights into the Ministry’s initiatives, which served to verify the accomplishments reported in the Annual Report.

This visit comes in the context of action taken by the Ministry following discussions on the challenges associated with forest reforestation and the importance of improving sustainability practices. In earlier meetings, concerns had been raised about the low survival rates of trees being planted as part of the ambitious goal to plant 30 million trees in Fiji over 15 years.

Efforts are being made to address the survival challenges, including enhanced research on native species, soil testing partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture, and community engagement strategies aimed at bolstering reforestation management.

Such proactive measures reflect a commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and promoting biodiversity, aligning with the government’s broader environmental goals. By integrating community involvement, these strategies not only aim to improve tree survival rates but also foster stronger local support for conservation efforts.

The increasing focus on sustainable forestry and community collaboration presents a hopeful outlook for the future of Fiji’s natural resources, promoting both environmental stewardship and community wellness.