Lack of knowledge

CHILDREN in Fiji don’t know about their native trees and animal life and many would not be able to identify indigenous species if they saw them in pictures or out in nature.

This was according to Forestry Ministry forest guard Lemeki Bose.

He said this was a sad reality, worsened by the fact that many native trees and birds were vanishing at an alarming rate from Fiji’s forests.

Mr Bose said if children were shown foreign trees and animals, they would easily identify them because they saw them in movies and mass media.

“This is one main reason that we need to conserve our native trees because they are homes to our native fauna,” he said.

“The ministry has been encouraging the planting of native trees to ensure that children are aware of their native flora but most importantly to ensure that we have enough for our future generations.

“It has been established that with the introduction of foreign tree species, native fauna began to vanish because this tree species cannot sustain them.

“With the reintroduction of native tree species, native fauna return to their ecosystem.”

Responding to concerns about diminishing water sources in the village, Mr Bose said trees could help retain water and if villagers planted trees, this could sustain water tables.

Meanwhile, Dravuni Island elder Eliesa Bula revealed that they had an understanding with the Forestry Ministry where they would plant five trees a day to support the ministry’s “4 Million Trees in 4 Years” initiative.

The ministry has been encouraging the planting of native trees to ensure that children are aware of their native flora

– LEMEKI BOSE