FIJI, Qumusea District, Vanua Levu Island - January 2012
Construction of a kindergarten in exchange for the planting and protection of a 4,000-acre forest area for a minimum duration of 20 years, Qumusea District, Vanua Levu Island.
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The Qumusea District is located on the north shore of Vanua Levu Island. The Great Sea Reef, the world’s third-largest barrier reef, is offshore. Four villages and four settlements in the district send their children to the Qumusea District School. The area surrounding the school and communities is about 70 percent deforested due to bush fires. The fires occur yearly, and are now taking a toll on the environment of both land and sea due to erosion and sedimentation which is adversely affecting the reef and surrounding waters. Local leaders wish to educate the community about the dangers of and damage caused by brush fires, and actively involve residents in planting trees and becoming stewards of the forest for the benefit of future generations. In collaboration with the Forestry Department and with funding from the Nukubati Island Resort, a nursery will be set up at the Qumusea District School. Indigenous species to be planted include sandalwood (Vanua Levu was formerly known as “Sandalwood Island” until the species was decimated). The area to be protected and replanted totals 4,000 acres, with a target of 50,000 trees planted over a period of 20 years. Community members will be responsible for the trees that they plant, and will pledge to not burn or otherwise degrade the newly-forested area. In exchange for this reforestation and protection program, Seacology is funding the construction of a new kindergarten at the Qumusea School site.
