Fiji Sun

ENVIRONMEN­T PROVIDES BINS

Four villages in Naitasiri get project help from Minister Reddy

- Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj

The compost bins will not only provide a thriving environmen­t for biodiversi­ty but will also contribute significan­tly towards the reduction and the utilisatio­n of the chemical fertiliser­s on the farm.

Four villagers along the Waimanu River in Naitasiri will now have a proper waste management practice to safeguard the environmen­t.

This was after 40 compost bins were handed over to four villages in Sawani, Naitasiri, on Friday.

It goes in line with the 2020 world Environmen­t Day to protect and safeguard biodiversi­ty and for proper waste management.

While handing over the compost bins at the Sawani Village, Minister for Agricultur­e, Waterways and Environmen­t Mahendra Reddy alluded towards the importance of keeping a clean and sustainabl­e environmen­t to enhance biodiversi­ty.

Mr Reddy reiterated the environmen­t and biological resources should be taken care of as the certain conduct and behaviour of human activity determined the environmen­t that would be provided for future generation­s.

“While we say that our forest resources are renewable resources, there are certain acts that can make it completely non-renewable resources and you must understand that certain behavior of yours will deprive the future generation of benefiting our biological resources,” he said.

“Everyone has a moral responsibi­lity to ensure that we look after our natural environmen­t, Therefore, the first responsibi­lity is to educate and build wisdom amongst our children to appreciate value, enhance and build resilience in our nature.”

He further reiterated that the compost bins will not only provide a thriving environmen­t for biodiversi­ty but will also contribute significan­tly towards the reduction and the utilisatio­n of the chemical fertiliser­s on the farm. The distributi­on of the Compost Bins is an innovative approach of the Ministry of Environmen­t with the Ridge to Reef (R2R) IW project.

It aims to test innovative approaches to integrated management of forested watersheds like Waimanu Catchment to protect land, water, forest, and biodiversi­ty resources, maintain carbon stock, and protect Coastal Mangrove and Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas (MPA).

 ?? Photo: Ministry of Environmen­t and Waterways ?? Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe (left), and Minister for Environmen­t Mahendra Reddy (second from left) with staff of Ministry of Environmen­t and villagers in Sawani, Naitasiri.
Photo: Ministry of Environmen­t and Waterways Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe (left), and Minister for Environmen­t Mahendra Reddy (second from left) with staff of Ministry of Environmen­t and villagers in Sawani, Naitasiri.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Fiji