15/03/2026
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βProtecting Fijiβs natural environment cannot be achieved by the Government alone. Laws and regulations are important, but they are only effective when they are supported by responsible stewardship at the community level.β
Emphasizing this vital message, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Sivendra Michael, highlighted the importance of community-led stewardship as he officially opened the National Resource Owners Committee (NROC) Meeting in Nadi today (15:03: 2026.)
Established under the Environment Management Act 2005, the NROC provides a space for resource owners to engage with government agencies, technical experts, and development partners to better understand the policies, regulations and environmental considerations that affect their land and resources.
It allows communities to ask questions, to seek information and to strengthen their ability to make informed decisions that protect both their environment and their future.
βThis forum is an important space where those who hold responsibility for Fijiβs natural resources can discuss how these resources are protected and managed for the benefit of future generations,β Dr Michael said.
PS Michael called on resource owners across Fiji to strengthen their stewardship of the countryβs natural resources as development pressures continue to grow.
βIn Fiji, our forests, rivers, coastal ecosystems and much of our biodiversity are closely linked to customary land ownership and community stewardship. This places resource owners at the centre of environmental decision-making,β he said.
He noted that across the country, there is increasing pressure on natural resources as economic development expands.
βThe pace of development is accelerating, and communities are often approached with proposals that promise immediate economic benefits. These opportunities must be carefully considered, because the long-term consequences of environmental degradation are often far greater than the short-term gains that may appear attractive at first,β he said.
The Permanent Secretary said for generations, Fijians understood that the Vanua carries responsibilities as well as benefits, and that decisions about land and natural resources must always consider the well-being of future generations.
βThe Government may develop laws, policies, and national strategies, but the effectiveness of those frameworks depends on what happens on the ground. It depends on how decisions are made within communities, how landowners respond to development proposals, and how the Vanua chooses to balance opportunity with responsibility,β he said.
The work of the NROC reflects Fijiβs commitment to recognising the role of indigenous communities in managing natural resources. The committee aligns with provisions in the 2013 Constitution, the iTaukei Affairs Act, and international frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, which support the rights of indigenous communities to sustainably manage their natural resources.
The forum also provides an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of resource owners through information sharing on national policies, legislation and tools available to support the sustainable management of land, forests, rivers and coastal ecosystems.
PS Michael said Fijiβs natural environment remains one of the countryβs most valuable national assets.
βOur forests protect watersheds and rivers, our coastal ecosystems sustain fisheries and protect communities from storms, and our biodiversity supports tourism and livelihoods. Protecting these natural systems is not only an environmental priority but also a national development priority.
βBy working together, we can strengthen the stewardship of Fijiβs natural resources and ensure that our forests, rivers, reefs, and biodiversity continue to sustain our people for generations to come,β Dr. Michael said.
The NROC brings together resource owners from Fijiβs 14 provinces and Rotuma, along with government agencies, Provincial Conservation Officers and key stakeholders.
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