Ministry welcomes $31.4m allocation

THE Ministry for Forestry has welcomed the allocation of $31.4million for the 2024-2025 Ɲnancial year, an increase of more than 40 per cent from the previous Ɲnancial year.

While contributing to the 2024-2025 National Budget debate on Monday, newly appointed Minister Alitia Bainivalu said the ministry would continue to address the issues of degraded forest through their forest and ecosystem restoration program with an allocation of $2.5million.

“The funding will strengthen and support our efforts on the reforestation of degraded landscapes, forest conservation and the reforestation of native and exotic species,” Ms Bainivalu said.

“This will contribute to forest cover whilst contributing to our emissions reduction program and Fiji’s international commitments in combatting climate change.

“The allocation will also support the establishment of nursery, purchase of seedlings, plantation establishment and provide further incentive payments to communities engaging in the reforestation project.”

She said the reforestation activities also supported their “Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation” program, also known as REDD+ and its long standing working arrangements with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (or FCPF).

“The ministry welcomes the allocation of $1.2million for this project, an increase of 44 per cent from the previous year, to support the Readiness Phase of Carbon Trading to be implemented throughout Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, across 10 provinces, 20 districts and targeting 117 villages and lay the strategy of operationalising the Look North Policy.

“The ministry will continue to expand maritime pine projects to ensure the socio-economic beneƝts of the forestry sector, including rehabilitation, rebuilding and economic development, which is now extended to our maritime communities.”