Forestry policies, institutions and programmes |
Forest policy and legislation are developed by both the Department of Forestry (within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries) and the Native Land Trust Board, which administers all native or customary land on behalf of its Fijian owners. Since most natural forests in Fiji are communally owned, landowner awareness and participation are critical to sustainable forest management.
Fiji has some 42 000 ha of mature mahogany plantations. These plantations were established by the government on land leased from indigenous Fijians. In 1999, the government established the Fiji Hardwood Corporation (FHC), a statutory body tasked to oversee overall development and management of the plantations. While the plantations have real economic potential, very little work has been undertaken to reap the economic benefits. Only a few pockets are being harvested to feed the local population. This is because of on-going disputes between the landowners and the government on control, management and share of revenue from the plantations. The government maintains that it owns the plantations and has sole legal right to harvest and market timber from the plantations.
Last updated: June 2004