The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs is considering appointing forest wardens as part of a forest conservation strategy.

There are concerns that native forests are dwindling at an alarming rate and now represent about half of total forest cover.

Permanent Secretary, Savenaca Kaunisela says they are considering training villagers to be forest wardens.

‘’To actually watch over our forest not only our forest but also all the resources on forest cover to the big indigenous trees that we have around Fiji’’.

Forestry Principal Forestry Officer, Pita Rokobiau says forest wardens will help stop illegal logging of trees and the illegal trade of timber.

‘’It is simply our responsibility in terms of stewarding this renewable resource – the forest as it is important to the country in terms of bio-diversity, economic and social development and also the daily livelihood’’.

Rokobiau says we need to conserve our forests and promote activities to sustain these natural resources.