Need for Biodiversity Champs: Reddy

Fiji needs champions of biodiversity, says Minister for Environment and Waterways Mahendra Reddy.

“We need leaders who will only advance the protection, not expansion and branding of our biological resources, but also bring in others into the net to be champions of biodiversity,” he said. Mr Reddy was speaking during the symposium on Biodiversity Innovative Solutions from our Nature at the ministry’s headquarters in Toorak, Suva.

Mr Reddy said it was not an easy task to utilise Fiji’s resources for economic growth, medicinal and technological innovations.

“The country as a whole is desperate to fast track growth given disparities on different fronts,” he said.

“In this quest for rapid economic growth, some players may resort to compromising on our natural resources to make windfall gains at the expense of our environment for both the current and future generations.

“This should never be allowed. We must guard against this. We have to strike a balance. Contribute

to balance growth.”

The symposium continues today as part of the week-long International Biodiversity Day celebration. and sustainable