The growth of agriculture on Taveuni Island is increasingly conflicting with efforts to protect its natural environment. As agricultural activities, particularly in the dalo and yaqona sectors, expand into the Taveuni Forest Reserve and Ravilevu Nature Reserve, the ecosystem services these areas provide, specifically in watershed protection, are being compromised, potentially leading the island into a crisis.
The reserves on Taveuni, marked by a Blue Line boundary, encompass Fiji’s largest protected areas. The Taveuni Forest Reserve, established in 1914, spans 11,291 hectares, while the Ravilevu Nature Reserve, created in 1959, covers 4,019 hectares. Additionally, the Bouma National Heritage Park, which was established in 1991, also contributes to these conservation efforts.
However, farmers seeking improved soil fertility have been encroaching on the reserves, leading to illegal land clearing and the loss of forest cover in vital water catchment areas. This has resulted in issues like the drying up of streams in regions such as the Vuna district. Maleli Nakasava, a senior official with the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, noted that farms have crossed the defined boundaries, exacerbating the situation. He warned that if this trend continues, the challenges currently faced in Vuna may be mirrored across Taveuni.
The pressure to protect natural resources is heightened by the importance of Taveuni’s freshwater ecosystems, which attract tourists, including sites like Lake Tagimoucia situated at a high elevation in the Wainikeli district. This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its biodiversity, including the endemic Tagimoucia flower.
A report published in 2020 indicated that satellite imagery showed declining water levels in Lake Tagimoucia, particularly following the drought period after Tropical Cyclone Winston. This highlights the impact of unsustainable land practices and climate change on Taveuni’s ecology. Nakasava emphasized that the island’s primary tourist draw is not its beaches but rather the unique flora, which directly influences local livelihoods reliant on tourism.
Ram Sidal, chairman of the Taveuni Advisory Council, pointed out that many encroaching farmers hail from outside Taveuni and lack a vested interest in the reserves, contrasting with local farmers who are more informed about conservation protocols. A common sentiment among locals is the urgent need to protect these areas to bolster resilience against climate change impacts.
Local farmer Silas Reddy stressed the necessity for solutions that benefit both environmental conservation and farmers’ livelihoods. He suggested introducing crops that maintain cash flow throughout the year, which could alleviate some of the pressures associated with farming practices that cross into protected areas. Reddy noted that while many farmers are aware of the Blue Line, knowledge of its specific marking is often vague, especially after the cyclone damage.
Efforts are underway to reinforce the Blue Line boundaries, with forest wardens working to maintain visibility and raise awareness about the importance of these conservation areas. These wardens are appointed by local landowners and are focused on policing forest laws. Lieutenant Maravu Ligani and his sons actively engage in this role, providing oversight and educating the community about the environmental significance of local forests.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Forest is collaborating with various agencies to enforce protections under the Forest Act and implement projects aimed at strengthening ecosystem resilience, including the PEBACC+ initiative, which promotes agroforestry. The project focuses on reforestation and sustainable farming in key water catchment zones.
PEBACC+ is a collaborative regional effort that engages local communities in replanting native trees and training farmers in sustainable practices. Its primary goal is to restore ecosystems, which is vital for maintaining water cycles and preventing shortages in the future.
This four-year project spans multiple nations, including Fiji and surrounding territories, and aims to develop substantial approaches for climate change adaptation through the Ecosystem-based Approach.
Overall, stakeholders stress the critical need for cooperation to ensure the protection and sustainable management of Taveuni’s reserves, balancing agricultural development with environmental conservation for future generations.