Traditional landowners of the Nukurua Mahogany Station in Tailevu have voiced their concerns over unstocked areas following harvesting.
“If you drive up to Nukurua, some harvested area that began in 2003 has been vacant for years,” said Fiji Mahogany Trust Board chairman Sakiasi Rokovucago.
“Scientifically, once the mahogany is harvested, over a certain period it should be replanted.
“If it is vacant for long, invasive species would grow. Fiji Hardwood Cooperation Ltd (FHCL) has failed the landowners by not replanting that area.
“Our ancestor’s stance was always clear: once you harvest, replant again for the future generation.”
Mr Rokovucago said this was one of the issues they would like to advocate on before harvesting commenced in other stations, especially in the North.
“We are trying to address this now so Vanua Levu landowners can at least see some positive change come harvesting time.”
During a recent consultation that included the Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, workers revealed discrepancies between reforestation reports and on-ground realities.
“One of the biggest concerns is the replanting and trying to restock the land area that was harvested,” said Mr Rokovucago.
“There was no verification done in terms of replanting, mortality rate, and the beat-up. Our primary concern is the need for replanting following an area’s harvest. It was not replanted.”
He said there was a lack of maintenance and monitoring on the hectares of mahogany in Nukurua.
“We had sent an email to the general manager about the reality of the survival rate on the ground, because once planted, a beat-up should be conducted so if one withers, it can be replaced, and then ongoing maintenance should follow. Mahogany requires attention; the first-year maintenance work should be conducted five times, the second year four times, until the tree has reached a height, and it can survive on its own. This is what the corporation is lacking.”
Mr Rokovucago reiterated the significance of sustainable practices in the industry and how replanting within the time frame would best prevent the growth of invasive species. FHCL general manager Semi Dranibaka confirmed there were indeed some unstocked areas of 1755.02. He said from the 3987.59 hectares harvested, 3344.40 hectares were replanted in the Nukurua station.
“We plant what we harvest. From 2003, harvesting operations were carried out in Nukurua, it started off as a trial but continued from then until now,” he said.
Mr Dranibaka reaffirmed that on maintenance and monitoring, Fiji Hardwood has a Silviculture Annual Working Program which they carefully execute over a year.
