Conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage with the creation of the Siporae Tribal Forest Conservation Area
The Solomon Islands media has recently reported that a second Forest Conservation Area has been declared in Choiseul Province.
On 29 January 2020, the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Dr. Culwick Togamana, officially launched and declared Conservation Area a protected area under the provisions of the Protected Areas Act 2010.
Speaking during the launching and declaration ceremony Minister Togamana said having the area registered under the Protected Areas Act 2010 was a daunting task but a huge achievement in itself.
He thanked the communities and partners of Siporae Tribal Forest Conservation for working together to fulfil the stringent process and requirements under the Protected Areas Act 2010.
The Minister also acknowledged the support of the Natural Forest Resource Development Foundation who had been very instrumental and supportive over the years until the launching.
The National Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Choiseul Provincial Government, and the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community played a very important role in supporting the project.
Technical and Financial support came through various projects such as the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Global Environmental Fund (GEF5).
For the Siporae Tribe the idea to protect their land came through the realization that most forests in Solomon Islands are now threatened by unsustainable logging and mining and this declaration gives hope that part of this fundamental natural resource is protected to safeguard essential services for the tribal members and to conserve biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Siporae Tribal members acknowledge that their project is a living example of collaboration between the Solomon Islands Government, NGO’s and local community to achieve a sustainable development model for the Solomon Islands.
Source: Solomon Star News.
Congratulations to all concerned on this fine example of aiding sustainable development.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
