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Public participation in forest management

The large area of Fijian forests under customary ownership ensures a high degree of, at least de

 facto, people’s participation in forest management. The government has, however, accordedpriority to ensuring greater landowner participation in all aspects of forestry sector development.

An objective is to have landholders participate more as shareholders or owner-operators inforestry activities. As part of extension and community forestry programmes, the Forestry

Department has collaborated with a number of other agencies to run forest awareness activities.

These are aimed at improving awareness and educating communities in the importance of mangrove ecosystems and forest protection, the importance of sustainable forest management

and relationships between forest, land and marine ecosystems.

3.4.10 Special programmes and incentives to promote sustainable forest

management

A variety of projects and programmes in support of sustainable forest management has been

implemented in Fiji, many of which derive from the National Forestry Action Plan of 1990. Akey initiative has been the development of the National Code of Logging Practice, introduced in

1990 and subsequently supported by the Forest Resource Tactical Planning Project. Both of these

initiatives, and the Forestry Decree of 1992, have contributed significantly to reaching a goal of 

sustainable forest management. The Natural Forest Management pilot project is utilising reducedimpact logging techniques across 5,000 ha of natural forest. Permanent sample plots have been

established in anticipation of implementing a full sustainable forest management regime. Two

eco-forestry initiatives are incorporating this pilot work into their current projects, which aim toinvolve landowners in management decisions and practices.

“to maximise the sustainable contribution of the sector to the development and diversification of the

economy whilst bringing the Fijian people into fuller and more active participation in sectoral 

development of all levels and stages and, at the same time, protecting and enhancing the effectiveness

of the country’s forest in environmental conservation” .

Government policy and strategy for the forestry sector over the period 2002-04 is as follows(MoFF, 2003):

• to maximise the sector’s contribution to the economy and develop the sector to itsfullest potential through the encouragement of value-adding and the provision of 

necessary infrastructure;

• to promote environmental conservation and management as the basis for the sustainabledevelopment of the sector, through the enforcement of the National Code of Logging

Practice and certification and branding;

• to promote the utilisation of the forest resource in a way that benefits the resource

owners and the community at large;

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• to develop and maximise the mahogany resource, including the development of a major 

downstream processing industry that will benefit the Fijian economy;

• to continue the management and establishment of hardwood plantations through FHCL;

• to develop the marketing and competitive pricing of mahogany relative to internationalmarket prices (which are to be ascertained before harvesting); and

• to assess the correct share for landowners of the benefits from the harvesting of the

mahogany resource.