Coastal erosion a threat to settlements
HUNDREDS of coastal settlements around Fiji are threatened by coastal erosion and the growing influence of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and floods.
Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Dr Mahendra Reddy highlighted this while announcing the Kiwa initiative grant for Nature-Based Solution (NBS) Seawall projects on Tuesday.
The program is funded by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Eropean Union (EU) and Agence Francaise De Development (AFD).
Dr Reddy said apart from the loss of property and lives being risked, the coastal communities faced a serious prospect of marine spaces that were devoid of biodiversity, the very source of life.
“This award of nearly $700,000 will assist the Government of Fiji to protect and increase the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change by constructing nature-friendly climate adaptation structures,” he said.
“This is critical to minimising the impact of increased coastal wave action by protecting human lives, protecting vital infrastructure, reversing biodiversity loss, increasing food security and controlling pollution due to climate changeinduced sea-level rise and escalating severe climate events.
“We are joining forces with IUCN and the Kiwa Initiative to take environmental rehabilitation a step further by committing to restore damaged coastal regions using natural-based sea walls including mangroves and vetiver.
“The good work carried on by the ministry has enabled a widely acclaimed solution to be taken a notch higher.”
Dr Reddy said it was their priority to strengthen their adaptation efforts and promote nature-based solutions in restoring degraded coastal areas.
“While the Ministry of Waterways had prioritised hard interventions and coastal systems in the most vulnerable areas and is fully aware of its costs and aesthetic relevance, this project encourages the incorporation of nature-based solutions.
“The Ministry of Waterways had deployed and will continue to innovate and progress its efforts through the various NBS tools available.
“These include both hard and soft solutions like beach vegetation, vetiver grass, seagrass, mangroves and coral planning options.”
He said with the assistance of the Kiwa Secretariat, they had swung their NAP and NDP policy directions into action.
“We are also proving our commitment to safeguarding and protecting vulnerable Fijians.
“This award will mitigate six project sites -- three in Mali Island, Somosomo Village, Navola Village, and Navolau Number 1 Village susceptible to coastal flooding and erosion.
“This project contributes to the community’s building of a nature-based coastal defence by restoration of coastal habitats through hybrid and soft ecological engineering to recover shoreline protection services along with other ecosystem services.
“This project also reintroduces life to the marine biodiversity along the shore, providing a permanent home for some of the most sought-after marine species, replenishing their coastal supplies and enhancing food security.”
Dr Reddy said the funding will rehabilitate approximately 1.6km (1600m) of vulnerable coastlines.
“The NBS sea wall will include bouldering and backfilling, as well as the planting of mangroves as the primary defence in the forefield and vetiver grass in the backfield to help prevent erosion.
“Our ministry has identified a total population beneficiary of 1500, of which 45 per cent are women.”
Dr Reddy said the Government was doing its part in securing the livelihoods of the vulnerable coastal communities.
“I urge potential partners from the Multilateral Development Banks, the Private Sector and NGO/CSO groups to partner with us and protect Fijian lives, their property and livelihoods.
“I further urge communities to lend a helping hand in restoring degraded coastal areas in your communities and conserve our coasts and mangrove forests for our future generations.
“I encourage everyone to be agents of change in your communities and mobilise your efforts.”