Protect And Preserve Sigatoka Sand Dunes
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes holds a special place for many villagers of Vunavutu, Kulukulu and other neighboring com-
With the national park sitting on 650 acres of sand dunes and dry forest, it has been vulnerable to illegal sand mining, fires, and careless rubbish disposal from visitors who trek up the park.
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park Manager, Jason Tutani said these natural resources do not just display the beauty of nature, but it is a working arm to tackling climate change for nearby villages and settlements.
RESILIENT PRACTICES
So, to strengthen the unique sand dune forest ecology, the implementing agency; the National Trust of Fiji partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Kiwa initiative. Through a two-day workshop held at the national park office in Sigatoka,
discussions were to help promote and build coastal resilience, forest restoration, and invasive management actions, with the relevant stakeholders.
The Kiwa Initiative looks at nature-based solutions for climate resilience.
“The workshop connects us to the community strongly because it enables us mitigate the impacts of climate change on the dunes and work in unity with the community towards the fight against climate change,” Mr Tutani said.
The dialogue was an eye-opener for Mr Tutani as they were able to understand different issues of concern for communities that has been ongoing for years.
“With the different variety of participants, it gives us an insight into how they see the park,” he said.
“The willingness to help us is very encouraging especially when they talk about the importance of indigenous knowledge and reviving it for the sake of future generations.”
STEELE: MOTHER & DAUGHTER
16-year-old, Mia-Kalani Steele was the youngest participant at the meet.
The youngster from Kulukulu village is no stranger when it comes to awareness programmes on protecting the dunes and parks.
“I really enjoyed this workshop as it’s another learning experience for me on understanding the different kinds of birds that can be found here at the national park,” Ms Steele said.
“I would encourage more kids my age to come out of their comfort zones and learn more about the environment, the native trees and preserving the sand dunes, because it acts as a wall protecting us from natural disasters such as tsunamis,”
The young Ms Steele is also part of Kiwa Initiative’s - Heritage in Young Hands Program since she was in Year Four.
Her participation then has birthed her interests and curiosity on environment stewardship and the willingness to explore nature.
“The program gives us school students in the Nadroga district an opportunity to learn to take on leadership roles and making a difference in our natural surroundings,” she said.
For her Mum, Coleen MichellSteele, it was the first time for mother and daughter to attend such an interesting workshop together.
“Usually, I’m attending workshops