The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) is making strides towards environmental conservation with a plan to designate specific conservation areas. The environment officer for the board, Josua Waqanivalu, made this known during the Situation Analysis Workshop on Forest Landscape Restoration in Fiji, which held in Nadi.
The board’s plan, according to Waqanivalu, involves mapping land-pertinent units and creating master plans for land usage. They also aim to formalize selected areas through lease agreements to entities interested in conserving the environment.
“The selected areas for conservation are chosen based on their cultural significance and biodiversity,” Waqanivalu explained. In a move to fend off unauthorized activities, clear demarcation and mapping have been established alongside a detailed master plan that outlines strategies for responsible terrain usage.
Furthermore, the conservation areas will be put on lease to promote the protection of wildlife habitats and cultural heritage sites. In this endeavor, the board will be collaborating with the Ministry of Forestry to identify additional locations suitable for leasing.