Minister Ravu Visits Forest Restoration Programme in Kavula
The Yavusa Kavula Restoration Programme in Bua Province, located on Vanua Levu, is making remarkable progress in restoring grassland areas within the five Mataqali (Clans) of Yavusa Kavula. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Forestry and the environmental NGO Live and Learn Fiji.
As part of the programme, the Yavusa Kavula has already planted 2,836 native assorted seedlings. In addition to restoring native vegetation, the initiative aims to plant 10,000 mandarin seedlings to boost local agriculture. Recognizing the importance of this project, the Ministry of Forestry has funded a temporary nursery to assist the community in raising their own seedlings for various planting operations, including mandarin cultivation.
The Honorable Minister of Forestry, Kalaveti Ravu, visited Kavula to officially open the temporary nursery this week.
The restoration programme was inspired by a site visit to Nayarabale Village in the District of Vaturova. Funded by Live and Learn Fiji, this visit allowed a group from Kavula to observe a successful restoration programme. Motivated by what they saw, they returned to Kavula with plans to replicate the initiative.
The Ministry of Forestry provides the necessary seedlings for planting, while Live and Learn Fiji covers the costs associated with fencing and maintenance work. This partnership ensures the sustainability of the restoration efforts and provides the community with the resources needed for long-term success.
The Yavusa Kavula restoration programme represents a significant step towards environmental sustainability and economic development in Bua Province. Through continued collaboration, the Ministry of Forestry and Live and Learn Fiji are helping to secure a brighter future for the Yavusa Kavula and their land.
-End-