The Nasinu Town Council marked the International Day of Forests on March 21 with the first stage of an ambitious urban greening push, planting 120 trees in front of the Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji) site as it sets out to put 6,000 new trees across Nasinu by 2026. The one‑day drive brought together the council, the Ministry of Forestry, the Rotary Club of Suva Central, Valelevu Police Station and Rotaract in a public demonstration of the municipality’s renewed focus on sustainability and community stewardship.
Special Administrator Salesh Kumar opened the event, saying the planting was more than a symbolic gesture and stressing the need to align development with conservation. “Forests are more than trees,” Kumar said, describing them as “the lungs of our planet, the guardians of biodiversity, and the silent protectors of our climate.” He urged residents to take ownership of the project, asking them to nurture the saplings and to imagine a town where shade lines streets, schoolyards and public spaces.
Senior Forestry Officer Sonu Dutt, speaking at the planting, linked the local drive to Fiji’s wider reforestation objectives. “Each tree planted today contributes to Fiji’s national reforestation goals,” Dutt said, noting immediate ecological benefits beyond carbon sequestration. He said the new plantings will help improve soil health, provide shade and habitats for wildlife, and broaden biodiversity within the urban environment.
Organisers framed the 120 trees as the initial tranche of a phased programme that will roll out across the municipality over the next year. The council has said it will work with community groups, government agencies and private partners to reach its 6,000‑tree target by 2026. Holding the event at a prominent commercial site was intended to encourage more corporate participation and to highlight how public‑private collaboration can scale urban reforestation efforts.
Community involvement was emphasised throughout the event. Police and Rotaract volunteers assisted with planting, and Rotary members helped coordinate sapling logistics and aftercare plans. Kumar praised the collective spirit on display and called for continued engagement, saying the long‑term success of the initiative depends on residents tending the young trees and integrating greening into everyday civic life.
The Nasinu drive comes as urban councils across Fiji face mounting pressures from population growth and development, prompting local authorities to prioritise green infrastructure for heat mitigation, stormwater management and improved liveability. By tying the campaign to national reforestation aims and enlisting multiple partners, the council aims to secure both the resources and civic buy‑in needed for maintenance and expansion.
For now, the 120 saplings planted on the International Day of Forests represent a visible starting point. If Nasinu meets its 6,000‑tree target by 2026, the effort could serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to balance urban expansion with environmental restoration and community wellbeing.
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