Fiji’s ambitious project to plant 30 million trees over the next 15 years has faced challenges, specifically a troubling survival rate of only 45% for the 18 million trees that have been planted to date. This statistic was highlighted by Senior Economic Planning Officer Ruairi O’Donoghue during a meeting with the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, prompting the Ministry of Forestry to enhance its reforestation efforts significantly.
O’Donoghue pointed out the difficulties associated with reforesting degraded areas, particularly concerning the survival of indigenous species. To address these issues, the Ministry has pledged to invest in research aimed at improving the survival rates of indigenous trees.
Concerns were also raised by committee member Vijay Nath regarding the Ministry’s monitoring practices after tree planting, particularly the significance of evaluating soil conditions to support the healthy growth of native trees. In answer to these concerns, Forestry Permanent Secretary Sanjana Lal confirmed that they have conducted soil tests in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture over the past three years to ensure that planting conditions are optimized, making progress towards higher survival rates.
In response to the low survival statistics, the Forestry Ministry is implementing proactive measures, including the planting of new seedlings in areas that have underperformed and encouraging community participation in reforestation efforts. This grassroots strategy aims to improve tree survival rates and enhance the management of reforestation projects while also restoring degraded landscapes.
These initiatives are part of Fiji’s wider environmental and climate goals, fostering hopes for improved conservation practices and increased biodiversity. Engaging local communities is seen as crucial since their insights and needs are integral to effective reforestation efforts.
The demonstrated commitment of the Forestry Ministry to tackle these challenges reflects a promising future for Fiji’s environmental initiatives, emphasizing sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change. Such efforts not only strive to restore the natural environment but also engage communities in meaningful ways, laying a strong foundation for future ecological stability.
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