http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=178556

 

AN island in the Lau Group has started taking steps to strengthen its resilience to the impacts of climate change.

 

Like many other islands in the country, Totoya is considered the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of its isolation, lack of infrastructural development and access to information.

The Totoya Development Committee said a doubling effect often caused by poor natural resource management practised by island communities often increased their vulnerability in the areas of land degradation and food security.

It said in the past, native forest covered much of the now exposed areas on Totoya.

Clearance of forest cover for cultivation, frequent burning and poor application of land use practices, landslides and erosion are prevalent causing flooding and contaminating drinking water supplies.

In an effort to address the land degradation issue on the island, the TDC with the United Nations Development Program has initiated a two-year pilot project to curb the prevalent problem of landslides and soil erosion.

TDC project co-ordinator Dr Jimaima Lako said the project was initiated in Tovu Village in 2009 with representatives from the island's four villages.

She said the representatives attended a week-long awareness, planning and training workshop in which a community-based district wide adaptation plan was developed.