Yanuca supports drive
YANUCA villagers made a commitment to plant 3000 trees in three years as part of the Forestry Ministry’s 30 million trees by 2034 program.
The initiative was launched in 2019 with the sole purpose of mitigating the impacts of climate change in Fiji.
Ministry officials visited the village last Thursday to launch the program there.
A number of fruit trees were planted around Yanuca to officiate the launch.
Also present at the event were representatives from non-governmental organisation Pacific Blue Foundation (PBF).
President and founder Gregory Mitchell and his team were on the island to monitor projects they had established and to take note of their progress.
Forestry Ministry rep Maraiah Tokararua said the planting of seedlings also marked a partnership with the villagers that would take root and grow.
“A total of 80 seedlings were brought here today and we are thankful to Yanuca’s commitment to contribute to the initiative,” she said.
Village headman Kelevi Walenavunau said as a village, they were happy to participate in the program and contribute towards reducing the impacts of climate change in Fiji.
“We are happy to help the Government carry out this initiative and we look forward to more initiatives like this that will benefit the people of Fiji,” he said.
“We are thankful to the PBF for the projects they have established here in the village and we also thank the officers from the Ministry of Forestry for coming here today.”
Seedlings were handed out to Year 7 and 8 students of Yanuca Island School who were tasked with monitoring their growth.
Mr Mitchell was given the honour of planting a few of the seedlings alongside Mr Walenavunau.