Viva! Sigatoka Sand Dunes
On Tuesday morning, I rushed to the Sigatoka Post Office. I was excited as I was getting a package from my parents in Australia. It had taken almost two weeks to reach Sigatoka.
When I entered the Post Office, I was cordially greeted by the Security Officer and stood in line for my turn. While I was waiting, I heard someone behind me say: “Excuse me”. I turned around and saw it was the security officer.
I smiled back and said casually: “What’s up?”
He replied: “I saw Ranger Saimoni on the FBC news over the weekend. He was talking about the illegal sand extraction at the National Park. So, people still stealing sand from the Park?”
I cautiously replied: “Yes, they are. But we are dealing with it and finally, getting the support we need to stop this illegal activity.”
He then asked: “Where are they taking the sand from?”
I quickly replied, as my turn was coming up: “From within the parkland, near Naqarai beach and from the Kulukulu community side, that shares a border with the National Park.”
He nodded thoughtfully and asked: “Who are the people taking sand?”
By now, I was at the counter and my hasty over-the-shoulder reply was “People from Sigatoka and outside Sigatoka.”
He echoed back with a soft “Oooh, Ok!”
I got back to my immediate business at hand and finally, got my much-anticipated package. The security officer was at the exit when I came to check-out. He opened the door for me as both my hands were filled with the large package.
I thanked him and he said: “Please give my regards to Ranger Saimoni.” I replied, “No worries.”
ILLEGAL SAND EXTRACTION
At work, I replayed the conversation with the security officer in my head. It’s an important conversation. I am glad that ranger Saimoni had the opportunity to raise awareness on one of the national park’s challenges.
It obviously reached a large Fijian audience, including those in our hometown.
We had over the last few months experienced an increase in illegal sand extraction along the park’s border. This kept the ranger team quite busy. We practically had to readjust our work shifts as the perpetrators got crafty with the location and timing of their extractions.
But we have managed to stop extraction happening in a few of the heavily targeted locations. Based
on field observations, we could see that the new extractions were been done mostly for commercial purposes.
We understand that these are difficult times and people will be inclined to take advantage of the situation. However, the national park is a protected area, and its protection (like other locally protected areas) is crucial to a small island nation like Fiji.
The park is representative of those aspects of Fiji that could be lost to time if we gave into our greedy human ambitions.
So, it becomes a nation’s responsibility to set aside such places to be protected in perpetuity for the benefit of all.
The park rangers are an enthusiastic lot and we have chosen this profession because we know our work has great relevance now and into the future. You can expect us to do our best in protecting the areas we’ve been charged with.
And if it means butting heads with people now and then, we will do so.
To any illegal sand extractors out there, your acts are unsanctioned. The Ministry of Lands
and Mineral Resources has issued several statements highlighting that, if you are interested in such ventures, then you should follow due process. And if you’d rather sneak into someone’s backyard and steal, then there are legal consequences.
If my memory serves me correctly, it’s either a hefty fine or imprisonment, or both.
Our battle with illegal sand extraction is far from over. People will always need sand and unfortunately, that’s what the national park looks like from the outside – big hills of sand.
I encourage you all to come visit the national park and let the rangers enlighten you on why it’s in the best interest of all Fijians that we protect it.
All we need to do is take you to the big unstable dunes and ask you this simple question, ‘What stands between the encroaching Pacific Ocean on this side and the human community on the other?’
This time the answer won’t be the proverbial hand, it’s literally under your feet.
Viva Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park! Stay safe.