Fiji is witnessing an increasing pressure on its natural resources, says permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael.
Speaking at the National Resource Owners Committee workshop in Nadi, Dr Sivendra said economic development was expanding into areas that were once relatively untouched.
“Rivers are being opened for gravel and sand extraction,” he said.
“Forests are being cleared for infrastructure, agriculture and settlements, and coastal areas are experiencing new forms of commercial activity and tourism development. These developments may be good, but they also reflect our aspirations for our nation to grow and create opportunities for our people. But it must not come at the expense of our environment.”
He said those changes also reminded people that developments could also have consequences.
“When forests are cleared without proper planning, the soil begins to grow and the rivers becomes silted.
“When rivers are disturbed, the effects are felt downstream, through flooding, water pollution, and declining water quality.
“When reefs and coastal ecosystem are damaged, it is often the fishing communities who first experience the loss of food security and livelihoods.
“These are not distant environmental issues; they are realities that many across Fiji are already facing.”
