TLTB contributes to ‘4 Million Trees in 4 Years’

The ITaukei Land Trust Board [TLTB] as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program will work with the government, communities and civil societies to plant 4 million trees by the year 2020.

These tree planting initiatives are also part of the organisations Strategic Corporate Plan Core Business outcomes for 2019 -2020 as part of TLTB’s efforts to address environment sustainability, climate change and ensuring livability for the communities in Fiji.

CEO TLTB, Mr Tevita Kuruvakadua stated that the CSR is one of the Board’s flagship initiatives and participation in such programs is an avenue wherein the organisation can give back to communities and especially landowners. As a land management agency, replanting programs such as this also ensures loss of land through bad land management or extreme weather is mitigated, thus improving the health and livability of these regions and communities.

Furthermore, the program will help conserve the environment and support local environmental outcomes by improving the extent, connectivity and condition of native vegetation that supports native species.

Mr Kuruvakadua further explained, that at the national level and in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, TLTB is glad that they are able to contribute to the “(4) million Trees in 4 Years’ initiative”   which was launched by the President of Fiji  Col. Joji Konrote early this year.

The initiative is part of Government’s renewed effort to continue the fight against climate change challenges and to protect Fiji’s environment and rich biodiversity – in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development particularly the SDG15 and in support of the New York Declaration on Forests which aims to end natural forest loss by the year 2030.

The tree planting program has been an annual event for the Board. CSR programs are planned for each quarter with all regions, sub-regions and Head Office staff participating in respective identified sites on the day. Through this CSR tree planting program, TLTB has maintained four TLTB Native Tree Reserve sites in Suva, Nadi, Ra and Labasa including mangrove regeneration sites in Lami Town, Luvunavuaka and Qoma village in Tailevu and on the foreshore areas on the island of Nananu-i-Ra. A total of 950 native trees have been planted on the forest reserves whilst around 3500 of mangrove seedlings have been planted in the mangrove reserves.

Yesterday, Saturday 6^th April, TLTB staff undertook their first tree planting exercise for the year. The program includes revisiting their dedicated TLTB Native Tree Reserve areas to clean, replace trees that have died and the planting of more new trees. Teams were also involved in the potting and transplanting of new plants including uprooting of wild mahogany shoots for replanting in other parts of Fiji through the Ministry of Forestry program.

It was undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry, youth members of landowning units and family members.