Uncontrolled burning in many areas is a concern and is threatening the survival of our forest.
Opening the first ever nationwide consultation on the Draft National Forest and Rural Management Strategy, Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea said the loss of forest due to fire not only results in economic loss but also the loss in biodiversity.
Vocea revealed that last year alone, Fiji Pine Limited lost about 2,500 hectares of pine forest to fires – which is about 10 percent of the company’s production area.
He says fire management must be effectively addressed if investments in forest and reforestation are to be achieved.
The draft Strategy is a national policy that aims to look at the management of forest fires.
It will align to the new Forest Bill currently before Parliament and will provide a valuable input to the development of rural forest fire strategies.
