A National Landuse Plan project has been drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture: Procedures to regulate natural resources extraction are being established including monitoring and audit of extraction operations.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992. To date the inventory of natural resources undertaken includes:

1. Forestry by the Department of Forestry.
2. Minerals by the Department of Minerals.
3. Land use Capabilities by Agricultural Department.
4. Formulation and Implementation of a National Resource Management Plan.
- Risk assessment of areas prone to flooding and exposure to cyclonic effects have been done
in order to mitigate measures to develop a preventive approach.
- Fiji is a party to other international and regional conventions, including:
- Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment in the
South Pacific Region and Related Protocols (SPREP Convention).

- Convention on the Conservation of Nature (Apia Convention).
- Fiji is also considering becoming a party to the CITES and Ramsar Conventions.

The resource base of nature-based tourism in Fiji is vast and consists of the sum total of Fiji's natural resources. In particular, the sea and marine life, as well as the ecology of inland areas and settlements, provide major attractions for visitors.

Susceptible to external influences and increasingly attractive to tourists, the country is open to exploitation for profit and consequently more prone to degradation. In this regard, the Government has provided funding for the establishment of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes national park.

Fiji has a total area of 18,390m2 and comprises islands of which 100 are inhabited and supporting a population of 783,550 (end 1994), with a population growth well below 2% (Bureau of Statistics 1990). The largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu which together contain over 90% of the population and comprise 87% of the land area.

The islands lie between 178oE and 179oW longitude and between 16o and 23oS latitude just inside the tropical belt. They are largely volcanic, of varying geological age and of moderately fertile soil, with fairly steep dissected topography in the forest areas.

After several thousands of years of human occupation and over a century of European influence, approximately 0.8 million hectares (ha) or about 47% of the country remains under natural forest cover. Reforestation together with afforestation has brought some 90,000 ha of long deforested land back into production. A small area totalling about 42,000 ha is under mangrove forest. Fiji thus has a total land area of 1.83 million hectares under forest. Broadly speaking, extensive areas of the drier parts of the two main islands have suffered deforestation. Consequently, the indigenous forest cover is more than 50% in the wetter parts of the country.

Indigenous Forests

Indigenous forests occupy 797,000 ha, making up 47% of the land and include 253,000 ha of unexploited production forest on which the hardwood industry is presently based. This area comprises 31% of all forests. Eighty-nine percent of the unexploited production forest and 84% of all Fijian forest are under communal ownership.

Plantations

(a) Pine Plantations

By the end of 1994, Fiji Pine Limkted's fully stocked area of pine stood at 43,686 ha with plans to extend this area to 55,000 ha by 2006.

(b) Hardwood Plantations

By the end of 1996, the Forestry Department had established 51,004 ha of hardwood plantations of mainly mahogany. It is planned to plant 85,000 ha by 2010.

Fiji has continued to promote sustainable forest management both through domestic policy development and at international fora. Fiji is committed to the effective implementation of the outcome of UNCED, having signed and ratified the International Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Fiji has just become a member of ITTO. Major initiatives taken towards sustainable forest management, include:

(a) Fiji Forest Sector Review and its incorporation into the National Forestry Action Plan;

(b) Re-inventory of the indigenous forest, installation of the Geographic Information System;

(c) Fiji Logging Code of Practice.

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa

N/A.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests & ALTA (MAFF&A) is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development. MAFF&A's "Mission Statement", as laid out in its 1997-2000 Corporate Plan clearly states "... MAFF&A is committed to the responsible and sustainable development of Fiji's agricultural, fisheries and forestry resources ...". This commitment to the concept of sustainability is made real through four (4) areas of operation.

1. Legislation

Fiji has a comprehensive "Land Conservation and Improvement Act" which covers good husbandry of land. Failure to adhere to the Act can lead to a farmer losing his/her lease entitlement. Good land husbandry practices are also an integral part of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act which governs all leasing of agricultural land. The MAFF&A does not lend its approval to any potential farmer attempting to gain a lease on "marginal" land, where the MAFF&A perceives there to be a high risk of land degradation.

2. Farmer Education and Awareness

The MAFF&A has a staff of over 200 extension officers who advise farmers on the best long-term use of their land. Environmental conservation is seen as an integral part of the extension process. The active promotion of Integrated Pest Management, and the use of vetiver grasses are good examples of this. In the past, the MAFF&A has also funded projects specifically promoting agro-forestry.

3. Research

MAFF&A has been carrying out research into minimizing the soil loss from farming on sloping lands under the International Board of Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM) project. The IBSRAM project is investigating ways of producing crops on flatlands, which are traditionally grown on sloping land due to the need for good drainage. A separate but interlinked project, the "Soil and Crop Evaluation Project" has been running for 5 years and is investigating the use of organic fertilisers in Fijian agricultural systems. Separate research projects are being carried out into sustainable livestock husbandry practices.

4. Infrastructure

The Land & Water Resource Management Division is charged with the " ... overall management of Fiji's land and water resources ... in an environmentally sustainable manner ... ". This involves the use of mass media for awareness and demonstration farms. This Division also undertakes land reclamation programmes and the construction of irrigation facilities. In 1977, with the assistance of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), the Division is undertaking thorough research of Fiji's watershed catchment areas in order to formulate a Watershed Management Master Plan. In the long term this will remove the current need for river dredging operations.

All of the above activities are co-ordinated by the MAFF&A Environmental Technical Committee, which has also drawn up a "MAFF&A Environmental Policy Paper". The MAFF&A (through the Land Use Section) is a member of Fiji's Land Conservation Board.

Convention on Biological Diversity - ratified in 1992.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

As one of its key topics Fiji's National Environment Strategy addresses the protection of its natural biodiversity. This includes recommendations of strategic objectives. Fiji has just recently secured some funding from GEF, through UNDP, to prepare its Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, and to prepare its national report to the Conference of the Parties. This project will include the assessment of existing stock and information, national workshops for consultations and analysis of options. The current draft of the Sustainable Development Bill has a section on Biodiversity to ensure promotion of protection of biological diversity.

Besides the preparation of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as an integrative approach by many organizations, the issue of biological diversity has been incorporated into various structures of responsibilities of various governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is when formulating national policies or projects that these responsibilities are realized and integrated. Examples include the preparation of mangrove management plans and a national landuse plan.

Fiji ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Other relevant issues that Fiji has attempted to address include conservation of marine resources, intellectual property rights, bioprospective and biosafety.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea - signed and ratified on 10 December 1982.

See also the tables attached to this chapter.

In terms of fisheries development and conservation, Fiji is committed to the responsible and rational management of fisheries. Current fishing policies regarding conservation and exploitation of fish stocks are enshrined in the Fisheries Act Cap 158, the Marine Species Act Cap 158A and subsidiary legislation.

The Fisheries Act addresses fishing within traditional customary fishing areas and the policy on catching fish within the customary fishing rights area is that no commercial fishing activities would be undertaken in traditional fishing areas unless the consent of the chiefs and the people having the right to fish in these areas is obtained.

Through the customary marine tenure system, traditional methods of conserving fish stocks can be executed, and this form of traditional management is beneficial, resulting in the sustainable and continuing supply of protein to rural people.

Fiji supports the principle of responsible fisheries management and conservation, especially also due to the growing fishing pressures and declining fish stocks worldwide.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the United Nations Implementing Agreement (UNIA) and the FAO Conduct for Responsible Fisheries all make reference to responsible fisheries management and conservation; Fiji has been a party to the UNCLOS and tuna agreements.

Fiji is very much in the forefront in the regional management of tuna and is very supportive of the current initiatives taken by the Forum Fisheries Agency member countries towards the management of highly migratory fish stocks in the high seas.

Fiji signed and ratified the Wellington Convention on 11 August 1993 and 18 January 1994, respectively; this convention prohibits the use of long driftnets in the South Pacific.

Fiji is also in the process of undertaking a survey of its total fishery resources. This will further establish appropriate policies for and gradually improve implementation of these policies for national fisheries at the local level. Complementary policies and management plans have been put in place, such as mangrove management plans, and are in the process of being improved. This has been made possible by the integrative approach of the various governmental agencies that have areas of responsibility in coastal areas.

Fiji's National Environment Strategy provides a strategic approach to water management and its relation to other aspects of sustainable development. Watershed management and waste control strategies are p;art and parcel of freshwater management.

All freshwater areas fall under the Traditionally Customary Fishing Rights Area. The tenure system therefore is the management system in place. No person shall undertake any activities, such as fishing etc., unless approved by the Customary Rights owners. There is no commercial fishing in freshwater in Fiji because of the paucity of freshwater fauna.

The draft "Sustainable Development Bill" requires the formulation and implementation of a "Policy on Water Quality Management". Such a policy would include the prohibition of pollution of any water resource and provide for the enactment of regulations to give effect to the requirements of the policy.

With the assistance of the Government of Japan, Fiji is now in the process of finalizing a watershed management plan; in particular, it would address flood control and the protection of arable land.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Basel Convention

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Fiji's State of the Environment Report of 1992 identified the causes and constraints of waste disposal, and its National Environment Strategy of 1993 recommended national priorities for waste management and pollution prevention.

In 1994, with the assistance of SPREP, a national workshop was conducted for a comprehensive and integrated approach to preparing a national Waste Minimization and Pollution Control Strategy. This is still in draft form and submissions have been made for its finalization and funding for implementation. The strategy, even in its current draft form, provides guidance and information towards developing environmental regulations on waste management.

The findings of Fiji's State of the Environment Report include the fact that none of Fiji's waste dump sites meets international standards. Attempts are currently being made to establish a suitable site for a regional sanitary landfill.

The necessary feasibility study has been completed and the recommendations are being studied in a public review process. The proposed landfill site would include facilities for reducing wastes that are disposed of; the separation of wastes at source would be encouraged and recycling operations established. Fiji currently has a number of companies that recycle papers and scrap metals.

Fiji has virtually no information available on the generation, storage or disposal of hazardous wastes. No specific regulations are available to deal with safe storage, transportation and disposal of such wastes. Substances classified as hazardous include: pesticides, chemicals (arsenic), petroleum wastes, et al.

When enacted, the Sustainable Development Bill will regulate the import, export, transportation, storage, selling or disposal of hazardous substance or waste (according to the Basel Convention).

The Public Health Act and the Local Government Act are current laws in Fiji that control the collection and disposal of waste and sewage. However, these Acts do not cover sanitary landfills.

National regional landfill is being proposed with appropriate disposal, recycling, separation, and leachate control facilities. Feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments have yet to be undertaken.

The Sustainable Development Bill includes provisions for waste minimization and pollution control.

Local authorities play a catalyst role in the collection and disposal of solid waste. A revised Litter Decree came into force in 1997.

The Public Works Department is responsible for sewage disposal and treatment. There are also ongoing efforts to put sewer lines in unsewered areas.

Financial resources to undertake globally, regionally and nationally significant activities are limited. However, some assistance has been forthcoming from overseas donors. These have come mainly from:

the Foundation for the South Pacific (FSP); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP); South Pacific Commission (SPC); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Small grant schemes have been provided by various developed countries, such as the USA, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Funds have come from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for regional programmes and for Fiji's preparation of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The European Union (EU), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have funded environment-related projects in the infrastructure, education, agriculture and health sectors.

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS:

Through the Sustainable Development Bill the Government is working towards providing the use of market-based instruments such as tradeable rights and taxes in almost all sectors where there is an abundance of natural resources, particularly in the fisheries and marine sectors. This will ensure a move towards market-based instruments/incentives to provide the right market signals to prices or resources and investment, cost, etc., from the traditional regulatory framework, which is known for its costly administrative inefficiencies.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:

In the same manner, technical assistance and technologies accessible to Fiji in international and regional organizations would be approached in an integrative manner by the Ministries concerned.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: The Sustainable Development Bill would empower various Ministries to formulate environmental management policies related to their respective areas of work. Technologies that are introduced to Fiji in the various sectors would be insured by the Government Ministries that receive them, and those that are relevant to promote sustainable development in the sectors.

No information.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

1. Upgrading science resources in schools, i.e. buildings, science equipment and teacher training;

2. Emphasis is also placed on technical vocational training to meet market demand;

3. Database on a national programme on human resources for planning purposes.

The Government continues to maintain education through accrediting schools, recruiting teachers, developing the curriculum, providing resources including teaching materials, and providing external examinations. School attendance for all children but especially for rural and poor children is being encouraged through support services such as the tuition fee assistance scheme and remission of fees scheme for secondary school and increased per capita grants for primary school pupils.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

A key component of policies and strategies in education and training is the development of vocational and technical education in response to, and to cater for, market demand. Technical and vocational education will continue to be strengthened to provide students with relevant knowledge and skills to prepare them to enter society and the world and also to be responsible to market demand.

b) Increasing public awareness

A growing public awareness of sustainable development in the community is a direct result of community support programmes conducted for schools and their communities. Ongoing work is still focussed on this area.

c) Promoting training

Training needs in this area are great but are hindered by a lack of resources, expertise and funding. The linking of small rural training centres to larger centres in urban areas appears to be alleviating some problems.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:

Ministry: Formulation of policy, identification of activities strategies,

implementation and monitoring of projects.

School Community: Implementation of projects, and provision of labour and some supportive skills.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:

Labour activities provided by the community are neither costed nor paid for.

Education (as a percentage of total government expenditure) 18.6 15.42

Technical assistance has been forthcoming from overseas donors to develop scientific knowledge that will support sustainable development of Fiji's resources.

Assistance has been provided by the Foundation of the South Pacific (FSP); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP); South Pacific Commission (SPC); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Small grant schemes have been provided by various developed countries such as USA, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Funds have come from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for regional programmes and for Fiji's preparation of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The European Union (EU), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have funded environment-related projects in the infrastructure, education, agriculture and health sectors.

It is an ongoing objective to develop international cooperative arrangements to support various sustainable development activities and must include substantial direction and involvement of the Fiji Government. On sustainable economic and social development, particular stress is given to the development of human resources, gender issues and environmental protection.