Public participation in forest management

The large area of Fijian forests under customary ownership ensures a high degree of, at least de facto, peoples participation in forest management. The government has, however, accorded priority 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 in forestry 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. A key 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 reduced impact 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 to involve 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 countrys 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 sectors contribution to the economy and develop the sector to its fullest potential through the encouragement of value-adding and the provision of necessary infrastructure; to promote environmental conservation and management as the basis for the sustainable development 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;

 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 international market 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.