Protecting Fiji’s natural environment cannot be achieved by the Government alone, says Environment permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael.
He told those present at the National Resource Owners Committee workshop in Nadi this week that resource owners had a critical role in ensuring development took place in ways that protected our natural resources, while still allowing communities to benefit from economic opportunities.
“Laws and regulations are important,” he said.
“But they are only effective and they are supported by responsible stewardship at the community level.
“Our natural environment is one of our greatest national assets and our forest protects our water sheds that supply our rivers and agriculture lands.
“Environmental development comes with responsibility and ensuring that your communities are not at the front lines of economic instability or loss of cultural identity.”
The National Resource Owners Committee (NROC) is a platform established under the Environment Management Act 2005 that brings together representatives of resource-owning communities from Fiji’s 14 provinces to advise the National Environment Council on environmental issues affecting their natural resources.
