The International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM) emphasizes the imperative of integrated ridge-to-reef management to protect the Nasivi River Basin in Fiji. With approximately 30,000 residents reliant on the ecosystem for their livelihoods, maintaining the health of the land, rivers, coastlines, and reefs is of utmost importance.
In a recent statement, ICEM highlighted that years of activities such as land clearing, monoculture plantations, and mining have drastically diminished the natural vegetation and riparian buffers within the basin. This degradation has compromised the area’s ability to effectively manage flooding and preserve water quality. As climate change exacerbates these existing issues, the basin faces mounting challenges including more frequent flooding, diminishing water security, threats to biodiversity, damage to infrastructure, and heightened uncertainty for local livelihoods.
To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary team from ICEM, alongside partners C2O and eCoast, conducted extensive field surveys and community consultations in early November as part of a Feasibility Study on Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) Management. The collected social, ecological, and biophysical data will assist in performing detailed diagnostics, advanced hydrological modeling, and evaluating nature-based solutions that could be implemented in the region.
Initial findings suggest the necessity for a coordinated approach that integrates management efforts across uplands, rivers, and coastal areas. ICEM stresses that ensuring the viability of the Nasivi Basin will require cohesive catchment management, nature-based strategies, and the promotion of diverse, climate-resilient livelihoods. They contend that efforts must be interconnected, spanning from the ridges to the reefs.
The ultimate aim of the study is to empower decision-makers, local communities, and stakeholders by providing practical, evidence-based recommendations. These strategies will focus on enhancing flood resilience, conserving ecosystems, and ensuring the sustainability of long-term livelihoods as development progresses in the face of climate change. The commitment to an integrated approach offers hope for a more sustainable future for the Nasivi River Basin and its community.
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