Nasavu Village Continues Tree Planting Project

The village of Nasavu in the province of Bua dedicates its tree planting project on the first Thursday of every month. Village headman (turaga ni koro) Peni Toagutu said, on the day, they either plant trees, remove weeds around plants that have survived or replace plants that have died. “The Nasavu Tree Planting project is a five-year plan, which aims to plant 1000 trees a year. Recently, we planted another 100 yasi trees,” he said.

This project, he said started in January 2019 and so far they have planted 2070 trees – 2000 yasi or sandalwood, 20 vesi and 50 damanu.

While some village projects end when sponsors leave, he said Nasavu took ownership of the project and continued the good work.

“We are thankful to our youths who are the future leaders of our village for taking the lead in the planting of trees. In years to come they will benefit from it either for housing timber, income and herbal medicine,” Mr Toagutu said. “Everyone is involved in this project including the women and children. They propagate the seeds and nurture the seedlings in the nursery.”

When they are ready for planting the men take over in the planting and clearing of weeds.

“We are doing this for the benefit of our children. Our forest is feeling the impact of climate change and timber harvesting and we’re replanting all areas harvested for timber.”

He said they were also monitoring and controlling the felling of their trees in their forests by logging companies.