Twenty four officers from the Forestry Ministry have been empowered to reduce illegal logging, unlawful pollution, and noncompliance with Environmental Impact Assessments.

They were part of a one-week, intensive course from a leading Australian training organization recently.

Acting Divisional Forestry officer Northern Division Asaeli Ravasakula says prior to the course, they had no expertise in carrying out investigations.

The course covered evidence collection, brief writing, interviews, and effective warning notices- led by the Australian Centre for Environmental Compliance.

The participants are now expected to help train other officers in their agencies.