29-06-2009
The people of Kadavu (Fiji) could become a model for other Pacific Island nations following a new BirdLife conservation initiative that is helping to protect forests in island countries around the region. “We have an exciting model for integrated forest and farm management emerging”, said James Millett, Senior Technical Advisor to the BirdLife Pacific Division.
BirdLife staff are working with local communities around Nabukelevu (Mount Washington) Important Bird Area (IBA) on the Fijian island of Kadavu to tie a forest protection agreement in to training and support for sustainable agricultural practices that reduces the pressure on the forest. “This is a new approach for developing protected areas in Fiji”, explained James.
“Importantly it has raised a great deal of interest from the communities because it is practical and clearly linked to sustainable village incomes and reduces the pressure on their forest resources” he added.
Nabukelevu IBA is an iconic mountain that supports extensive old-growth forest and four species of bird endemic to Kadavu. It was identified as an IBA following a grant from Darwin initiative which documented 14 new IBAs - mainly in the remaining areas of old-growth forest.
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