Fiji’s waste management enters the drone era
The DJI Phantom 4 drones will assist in the Ridge to Reef project
Government will now employ the drone technology to monitor illegal waste dumping and breeching other environmental regulations.
Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Parveen Bala launched this very important chapter in local waste management history at the World Environment Day Celebrations at Rishikul Sanatan College yesterday.
The DJI Phantom 4 drones will assist in the Ridge to Reef project, which is currently implemented through the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment.
The project will be executing activities in six catchments sites ¬- namely Tuva, Ba and Rewa/Waidina catchments in Viti Levu, as well as Tunuloa, Vunivia and Labasa in Vanua Levu. Permanent Secretary for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Joshua Wycliffe said these drones will provide support in multiple surveys planned for the project which includes the Rapid Biodiversity Survey, Biophysical Survey, Land Use Survey and Freshwater Survey.
“These drones will greatly assist the Ridge to Reef project team as well as project implementing partners in the monitoring of project activities,” he said.
“Its high resolution 4K camera can provide support in taking baseline imagery data of catchment sites.
“Before and after imagery of the project sites are crucial to the project as they will contribute to the reporting of activities at local and national levels.”
He also added that the drones will especially be useful for catchments that are located in rural settings where access is hindered by the rugged, mountainous terrain and where road access is limited.
Images captured by the drones will also be used for the development of communication tools such as posters, brochures, project leaflets, stickers and other awareness materials of exceptional quality, Mr Wycliffe said.
“Additionally, for the Ministry of Environment, the drones are useful for capturing and providing evidence of activities such as illegal gravel extraction and sand mining, deforestation, and other activities that maybe occurring within these catchments.”
The drones will also be useful in decision making to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services, sequester carbon, improve climate resilience and improve livelihoods of ordinary Fijians. Mr Wycliffe acknowledged the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the provision of funding and procurement of the drones.