The new and upgraded trail for the Nabalasere Ecotourism Forest Park was officially launched by the Minister for Forests, Honorable Osea Naiqamu on Friday 29th September.
 
Work on the upgrade and improvement of the forest trail is through a partnership between the Nabalasere village community and the Fiji Government, which began in 2015 and supported through funding by the Global Environment Fund under the Forest and Protected Area Management Fiji Project.
 
The project’s support included hiring of Mr. Mark Symons of the Department of Conservation, New Zealand in 2015 to conduct training on survey and trail alignment. The 80 trainees included Ministry of Forests Officials, tour operators and villagers of Nabalasere. The project also supplied building materials, tools and equipment and rehired experts from the Department of Conservation, NZ in 2017 to lead the trail construction work, and the Ministry of Forests staff that continued the work to completion.
 
One of the key objectives of the project is to support alternative income generating initiatives that could address the welfare and needs of the communities, whilst ensuring the protection the natural forests and its ecosystems. The Nabalasere Ecotourism venture is part of the “Greater Tomaniivi” landscape that is being developed as a protected area for the conservation of its biodiversity.
 
The National Project Coordinator, Mr. Ilaisa Tulele, in delivering the FAO message, was excited of the prospects that the improved trail would bring to the venture in terms of increase in visitation numbers, both foreign and local, to appreciate Fiji’s natural beauty and forest environment, and the friendliness of the village communities.
 
Nabalasere village is located on the north-eastern aspect of mainland Viti Levu, and was one of the many villages devastated by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston in February 2016. Work was suspended in 2016 due to the nation-wide devastation caused by the cyclone: in Nabalasere, of the total 30 houses, 25 houses, including the village community hall, was severely damaged and uninhabitable. The trail construction work recommenced in June 2017 after village life returned to normalcy. In his speech, the Minister praised the village of Nabalasere for their resilience and unity to overcome adversity and hardship encountered after the cyclone. “If such is the resolve, then I am certain that this venture will be a success”.
 
The Minister also stated that the Nabalasere Ecotourism venture is an example of the “green tourism” that is being promoted and as reported in the Ministry’s Strategic Development Plan (2017 – 2030). The Minister went on to challenge the partners, line ministries and donor agencies that attended the launch to “learn from the lessons that are being taught here today”. “Let us be more innovative in our planning, sincere and dedicated in our responsibilities, so that the changes that we make to the rural population, the often-marginalized members of our larger family, are life-changing, empowering and sustaining”.
 
The launch was witnessed by more than 500 people, including guests, government officials, conservation groups, tour operators, school children and neighboring villages.

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