FIJI COUNTRY PROGRAM 2015

Kilaka Forest Conservation Area
STATUS: Ongoing
FUNDING: Harvey and Heidi Bookman
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS: Nadicake mataqali, iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), Department
of Forestry
Forest and freshwater streams in Kilaka. ©Ruci Lumelume/WCS (left), ©Kini Koto/WCS (right)
HIGHLIGHTS AND NEXT STEPS:
WCS has worked with the communities of Kubulau District, Bua Province, for over 10 years and
has developed a strong working relationship with the Nadicake mataqali (clan) from Kilaka
village that holds land tenure over the Kilaka forest. In 2006, the clan made a commitment to
protect the forest on the land parcel over which they hold tenure for at least 10 years. Although
not legally binding, this commitment included a promise not to lease the land for logging. In
2009 the management of this community-managed forest park was incorporated into the
Kubulau District EBM plan. Although the forest area is a national priority for conservation, there
is considerable and growing pressure to log the forest. WCS is working with I Taukei Land Trust
Board and the Nadicake mataqali to explore options and opportunities to establish a forest
conservation area over 402 ha of native forests. Protection of the forest would insure the
intactness of the forest for future generations, maintenance of clean drinking water, protection
of coastal reefs, and provision of a sustainable stream of revenue to landowners.
LINKS TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES:
NBSAP Implementation Plan Thematic Area 6 (Protected Areas), Strategy 1: Identify gaps in
biodiversity protection against national targets. Strategy 2: Expand protected area network in
priority sites at the national level and provincial level to achieve national targets. Green Growth
Framework Thematic Area 6 (Freshwater Resources and Sanitation Management): Adoption
of watershed management plans using integrated water resources management principles for
major rivers, waterways and drainage systems.
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