Reprmh WMC/t Be cc, iS An assessment of the importance of the forests of south-east Viti Levu, Fiji. Prepared by The IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, U.K. May 1986 This report has been prepared by the IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre under contract to the U.K. Commonwealth Development Corporation. Its aim is to assess the implications of proposals for rainforest exploitation in the south-east of Viti Levu. This document is intended for guidance but should in no way replace the advice of local conservation experts or a full Environmental Impact Assessment. ll. 12. Sites SUMMARY Like other high volcanic islands in the Pacific, Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, has diverse forests which are important watersheds, are rich in endemic species and are of considerable regional significance. Viti Levu has been identified, on the basis of its species endemism and an analysis of its ecosystems and species richness, as the fifth most important island for conservation in the Pacific. There are approximately 1500 vascular plant species native to the islands of Fiji of which 40-50% are endemic. The wet zone lowland forests of Viti Levu east of the Sigatoka River are particularly species-rich. Sixteen species of birds endemic to Fiji are found on Viti Levu together with 1 endemic bat, 2 endemic reptiles and 2 endemic frogs. The majority of these are known from forest regions. There are probably in excess of 3500 species of terrestrial invertebrates in the Fiji islands. Many groups are poorly known but evidence from the Macrolepidoptera suggest almost 50% endemicity. The majority of endemics is entirely dependent on the rain forests of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Extensive logging has already occurred in the south-east part of Viti Levu and further logging is likely to have serious consequences for the remaining rain forests and their biota. The three main rivers (Rewa, Navua and Sigatoka) draining to the south coast have forested catchment areas and their water regimes may well be altered by logging, particularly the Navua where logging is already heavy. Logging generally leads to soil run-off through erosion, resulting in increased sediment-loading in rivers and the deposition of silt in coastal waters which has an impact on coral reefs and mangroves. Sedimentation is already a major threat to the fringing reefs of Viti Levu which are one of the country’s prime tourist attractions. Removal of trees will reduce protection from hurricane damage. Fiji has a series of 5-year Development Plans prepared by the Government which provides for the use of Fiji's natural resources. The most recent, the Ninth Development Plan, which is currently in operation, has a greatly expanded conservation section. Nevertheless, there is an inadequate reserve system both in terms of its size and the diversity of natural habitat covered. Little provision has been made to protect the rain forest of south-east Viti Levu, the only reserve within this area being the Garrick Memorial Reserve. Additional reserves have been proposed for this region. Given the importance of the forests of south-eastern Viti Levu, logging activities should only be increased following detailed environmental impact assessments. ae es YAAMMUe as vtam odd ,Uved BIEV. , 21% foe9 edz al abasiei oinssiov dgid 19nj0 9tii ot 3 erp cake Aeaadew tnsdroqmi-aie doidw adesxoi sasdvib aad ,itia to bastei f .soteaitingi2 Lenoigey eldeiebienos Yo 348 bas astaeqe oimebas ai doin ’ bie meEnebad reigaq> att Jo etaad sdF no beriitnsbé. nesd 2eff uved idiv¥ s Jann t74it odd. 24. ,2gontolg eeinsqe bak emade¥20o9 2tf 20 eesyisns ,2f%ioed 949 ai noldevraends 10% bnelei dnadyoganl -bostei sid of svidan eetoege dnaly asluseav oods vlessmixorqys ets etedl Ee ijiV Yo etes102 Brseiwol saos Jow sdf _olmabiie..o18 202-04 oidw to ifit do | .doit-esiveqe yPralusijanq 918 79via atosnaie sid to Jace uved - -. salaased uve £34 fo, bavol ste IFLA O41 Simebne: abaid qo eeiseqa asosniz a = yilzolsm edt .egomd aimsbas $ bas eeLisqox aimebae S ,Jad aimebas 1 ssiw oe 2007367) davso¥ moz? awonk 918 922d) to ee asdazdedyoyul Levadbeaed 10 eetoega ooec do 2299K9 oi yldedorg exe smgiT kt sid mort sonebive Jud awona yiq00y eye! aquoyg. 4 abaste i pia end ai acimebas to yitsotsm ont Vi ioimebdd” ye. deomis, gneggue 619 )qobiqelorsem ved apoevy bie ‘ved i i¥ 40 aJ geno}. miss aid no aaa yievisas ai uved itiv Yo “iaeq"den0- “ASEb2 afd af beans 90 ybseale aed gniggol ovienssra =. odd 404 seonoupsanos auyoitee eyed od od yori L et anigsol xodda? bas bf -pioid aiedd bas ese a0? fist yainfames dues old 03. 3ninisab ‘iadbdnaie ore gover Aiea cs avin nism ssads aT ad Liew yam gomiget i6dew. afedd dna ego75 Jasmistss. eyvesti ybseata Bi “Baoiggol esd ven’ ‘odd yfaeins iJ i ui goitivees aie Aguoins “Vto-aw7 an we [ej2s00 uf Ji fe 10 nok, ogsb ots bane ascii ai soltsdnomibe2 .2ev shy bap atest fexo 40. 900 sa8 iL iad uve. id y 20 aioe iga be =~ q sanigscl yt beredhe ef ¥ilsierss aniggod f-Jnemibdbes besrerdal” ns ast doin e198 ' B00 oo dems -gaemed eassin mont soisjoed SSDS Jnsmaravon af1 yd baersqe {4% Jnemgoleved-1s9y-2 ong zeinse a eet i ,Jnooe1 jeom oft .seaxso2eT Eetiieq ore Jo 9a0\ 94 10% esbivorg oi ; “a efisesy s eed I tae ches a aowitia al Zs jofeved dint odd 4 ose 2 aoissvisenv> b id 22 o1edd ,ezeloddas . ati to amiss ci sane eviezoT isos ur aed nolzivoig sisdid .bexevod Jed e: to ys Bre sfi bus este vibo efs uve], idiV Jess: 2? - 9102 nisz add Joejo1g 03 sbsm aged | feaoidibba -ews29h felony: vataase afd gait dj niddiw eves Moi ger. 2idd ac ‘nsed eved Presi: aviagaot juved idly ieteso-d3yoz to adaaxot add Bo sonesaogmi 2 v ‘Yodneanoitivas bea sua rece oe 196 Ino. yoda aoise . i “.ednomzcozen Jongml CONTENTS Summary Contents Introduction Flora and fauna Biogeographical considerations Logging and its consequences Impact on watersheds Impact of logging on the marine environment Impact of logging on flora and fauna Protected Areas Remedial Action References Appendix 1 Nature Reserves Appendix 2 Proposed Reserves Appendix 3 Endemic Palms Appendix 4 Threatened Animal Species Appendix 5 Endemic Animal Species Appendix 6 Conservation Legislation Page Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge http://www.archive.org/details/assessmentofimpo86iucn Introduction Fiji, situated in the path of prevailing south-east trade winds, has a tropical marine climate and consists of over 300 islands of varied topography including both low coral atolls and high volcanic islands. Viti Levu, the largest, has a rugged mountainous interior, with peaks rising to over 1200 metres, which results in a wet windward south-east and a dry leeward north-west. Annual rainfall is high, exceeding 3000 mm. The interior is drained by five major rivers, the Rewa, Navua, Sigatoka, Ba and Nadi, the first three draining through the south-eastern forests to the south coast. The island is still densely vegetated in many areas, with rain forest in the south-east and "talasinga" (dry forests, savanna woodlands and grasslands) in the north-west. The south coast is known as the ‘Coral Coast’ and is bordered by the longest chain of fringing reefs in Fiji, the only major break being opposite the mouth of the Sigatoka River. Suva Barrier Reef, protecting Suva Harbour and Laucala Bay, lies off the south-east corner of the island. Flora and fauna Fiji has around 1500 native vascular plant species, including 310 pteridophytes. Forty to fifty per cent of native species are endemic, with one endemic family (Degeneriaceae) and 11 endemic genera (nine of which are monotypic, the remainder containing two or three species). In general, endemic plant species are restricted to the remaining forested areas; the lowland forests of the wet zone, such as those to the east of the Sigatoka River on Viti Levu, are particularly species-rich. Virtually every forested region of Fiji which is bounded by a major valley is the entire range of at least one plant species. Upland rain forests support fewer tree species, but the number of epiphytic species increases with altitude (especially among orchids and ferns). There is no comprehensive list of rare and threatened plants for Fiji but data are available for palms, ten species endemic to Fiji occurring in south-east Viti Levu. A full list of endemic palms is given in Appendix 3 with their distribution within Viti Levu where known. Endemic vertebrates are listed in Appendix 5. No large land animals are native to Fiji. Yhere are two endemic bats, one of which is known from Viti Levu. Sixteen of the 23 endemic Fijian birds occur in the forests of Viti Levu, nine primarily or exclusively in mature forests. On Viti Levu, four species occur only in the forests of the south-east (although they may occur on other islands) and one, the Pink-billed Parrotfinch Erythrura kleinschmidti (IUCN category: Rare) is endemic to this region. There are seven (or eight — with a possible new species) endemic reptiles in Fiji, one of which -— the elapid snake Ogmodon vitianus (IUCN category: Indeterminate) - occurs only on Viti Levu. There are two endemic frogs, the eastern-most frogs of the South Pacific, both of which occur on Viti Levu. There are a large number of endemic invertebrates on Viti Levu, most of which are poorly known. Insects, one of the better known groups, include over 3000 species, representing an extremely important part of the island's biota. The majority of Fijian insects are in the orders Lepidoptera (1000+), Coleoptera (1000+), Diptera (300+) and Hymenoptera noitouboa3on 5s est ,2bniw sbeqad teee-divoe gaifieverq:io-disq oft ni Sedeudie , iti Yigstgoqo! beixav jo ebsafel OOL sevo to edeienoo bas sJemifo enitam [s0:.9079 edd .wved {41V . .ebuelel oinsctov dgit bas effose In1t09 wol déod gaidu font nevo of guteia adesg diiw.,10cixvesai seonisimiom begau2 5 2nn , teaguad boewosl yah o bas tane-djuo2 biewbniw Jow 6 ai etiuzet dotiw ,esxdem GOST ef Yoltedmi off .om OOO gaibeeoxs . gin ei ffeIniss LevanA .j20n-dx0R atid , ibs bos 2@ ,actodngi2 ,suvav ,ewet edd ,aievia vofem avit yd benteab .jasoo ftuot.efd oF adzgetol nyesese-figoa oft figvoudd gnigiewb ssatt+ tend eid ai dasioi afsa Ciiw .#eene yoom ai bajndegev yleadeb Plis= ci bneici edt ni (ebasleeaag bas ebasfboow enaavee ,23ee203 tb) “sgnieetss" baz j2ee-isuoR al bee *faaov Lanod* adi 2a awond 2i Jesoo djuoe sit jaow-cd1em Std sou! iotam yine oft ,i tit ai etesi gaigaiad? 10 aisho deegnol sis yd beashgod ¢ ,Jeea.19i9388 aves .s9vik solotegi2 oft to diuom ef) 231 e0q90 goied =. 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(2eksege seidd to! ows aninisinos ashwiame: edd ,oiq¢d edd j@se7n bedze102 gainiames of3 oJ botoiasegy 946 asiveqs inaly 9! sdotegi2 eds io dase oft od stods ae dove ,onow tow off to astute! iw begnetel. vieve yllevsaiv -fioia-eelosge. vite lusisoeg sae ,uvad ijfy so 7 ‘ i 48 to egasy Stidas sad ai yeoiiev totem s yd bebaved ai doidw {+14 to aoig dud ,weiseqe se1d 19wel Jvoqque 2dao10l aiex buelqU. .aoiosqe jnsfq eno ¢ on gnome ¥fLeiosqzo) obudi ddiw esaseioni “zeigeqe sidydqiqs to 12dmua . oe benedseitd bas oss to spit avieosdssqmos onal sxedT (20152 bne abide. | iti® of oimebne eatooge “93 ,2m£aq 101 eldefisve sie 23ab gud ifi% 109 a4 ae ni mevia et —. simebne Yo Jail [fut A .uved PPEV dese-isvoz a! gné oe awond evedw: hesahasl isiv¥ aiddiw noidudiase td saiedi djiw & aye oie elemins basi ¢ { om i3fV mov} awond ai. jo ono , i9iV Yo ateor0} edd Gt qwoo0 abrid ax oimebne €§ edd to nosdxiz .a 4u02 ,cved i31¥ a®, .avaet0d emwdem mi yLovi2vioxe 10 yliseming soin uve | “wose yam yeds dguodsis) ease A ond Yo. aSee202 add ai yine su990 aot; qa 07 o198T . noi yg: od imet ao @i (S9BH iyaogedas WOUL) i sbimivenig. 209 8 dJiw - jigia 29) # otene biqele efi - doinw -wvod [3iV¥ mo yfno 2 - (etanimiesehal Sy10geso UI seom-a71gd 569 edd , oimebns o atonal eurh 14990 toi to diod ,ofiiced divoz sf 0 : | cRMMNS Yo Ketmon caret 0 v0: of ste etal “Medted edd Io eno ,dJ90anl .awonx _Ia90q We: peurion gol et is saiinsesigss , 29iseq 648 2d0eani aeitia to a) of > ew 7 i se tas) i yr M ~~ rr - * : ‘ Lig 7 a FI a My x = . « s —— aa Uke oe i ' a ae a (250+). The literature on Fijian insects is scanty; the only complete catalogue is for the Macrolepidoptera (butterflies and larger moths). Nearly half of Fiji’s 400 Macrolepidoptera are endemic and the majority of these endemics are entirely dependent on the rain forests of the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Endemism among molluscs is also high, particularly at the generic level, and many taxa are forest dwellers. Biogeographical considerations Biogeographic relationships and patterns of dispersal in the South Pacific are far from being clearly understood. What is certain, however, is that the richness and high endemicity remoteness of the rain forests of Vanua and Viti Levu are of regional as well as local Significance. The origin of the Fijian fauna and flora has been contentious. Some authorities have envisaged a mainly continental biota, part of a once much larger land mass possibly connected to Australia. More recent work, however, gives greater credence to an insular biota, acquired mainly via oceanic migration routes. The Melanesian and Polynesian islands lie like stepping stones from New Guinea to the eastern Pacific, providing a variety of routes for the colonization of those islands by animals and plants. Without doubt the fauna and flora of Fiji has its origin in New Guinea, the Solomons and Vanuatu (with the probable exception of Fiji's two iguanas and one boa, which are almost certainly Central or South American in origin). The mode of dispersal is believed to have been mainly by flotation (plants, some invertebrates) and by flight, either directly (birds, insects, arachnids) or as passengers (plants, molluscs). Flights by Lepidoptera of 1500 km or more are commonplace in the Pacific. However, the flora and fauna of Fiji are quite different from, and much richer than, those of the islands of the eastern Pacific. Fiji features weakly or not at all in the patterns of taxa spreading eastwards (whereas Vanuatu and Samoa are often involved, at least for Macrolepidoptera). The vegetational and physical diversity of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu has permitted the establishment of a large number of species, many of them rain forest inhabitants. These forests then, are the key to diversity in Fiji. Vanua Levu and Viti Levu are last outposts for many rain forest organisms. A large proportion of the fauna and flora of these islands remains endemic and reaches no further eastwards for the simple reason that there are few rain forests in that direction. Small rain forests occur within the Samoas, but in general the attenuation of species in an easterly direction is rapid. Twenty-three per cent of the indigenous phanerogam flora of Fiji extends no further eastwards, most of these being endemic forest plants with heavy seeds. Similarly, the 50 per cent endemic Macrolepidoptera are virtually all rain forest species. The species of larger moths and butterflies that are common to the islands of Fiji and Polynesia tend to be restricted to the talasinga (dry) areas of the former and the low-lying coral atolls and raised limestone islands of the latter. Such Polynesian islands are too small and too isolated for the seeds of many forest plants to reach them, and often too dry for the seeds to prosper. me NS ins sdolqmoo yfno ofd ;ysnsoe at etoseni oat(aw oo siwtes19dif edt .(+0%S) .Cadgvem aegiel bos eeilttetdud) a19.igebigelorosh sdj 102 si sugolsiso viivofan oft brs oimebap e18 ars iqobiqe£oI 9am 00% a’ itiid to ifed yiusst ows edd Yo ateotot aiss edi to inebnegqeb yler eae soimebna szedi to ai esavlfom gnome meimebaa .oved BunRN ors @Ved idt¥ ,abnalel sotem Jeeiot ote exe? enna bas iovet ol sede iancm eesateo tung ,dzid oeks 2 are thew faringet;0%g088 dtuoe orid al ideeweat to nated Bq. i lenoisele1 sidnssg0eg9o18 fifesies ei darW . boos 27 9bAH) v aot 9 gale mo7i 162 e190 Ditioet 94 edd 20 ebonstomoy yJioimebas aid bp e BeSnficia edd Jnld si rovewoR ; ome {feo0f ae Lfew s4 isnuoige: to 16 uve Wo base sunaVY jo eicoic? nis ~~ Te hay at .eoneoltingia smo .2voisinednos asa 25 sono & Io J16q ,sdoid leine jneoe2 810M gsifsriauA of beriupss jajold asivent as od agfeanyfod bas lasbine?~ ic a 9am we haste ee eda 30 Pe Me ahs aeam bnel aegnat & aun 1 w43e9139 zeviz ores oo | moidargin Sinsso0 BIN faith we imo @higqgese oti! eif. euods 30 doktaxinofos Dies 11 26suor. Ie F stage 8 gc ia of odd diiw) wiovasy ‘tas pit »baaive wert ani sietxe wad sent Jaomis oxe doidw ,sod smo bag” MS @'EEIA Yo aciigerns off os Sasrenete to sbom oft . i : iY Beaver 10 [so3ao0) yinis ono adn fiiem nesd sve od beveil ,etodeni ,2baf yaagilt yd bra (acterded yategmeateg es x0 (ebinutal sited lad #10Mm 10 Mm 00 foum bat ,~Mo1rd ans soiup ; to ‘enue bas stoli st3 ja¢ . : j yebas tei 609 2o eruds , nadd i at Ife je ton zo ylicow ao ds maz bos visvcrY aseisdiw) ebuaws j 0 sa sit .(saissgobiqah 04 ‘40 wedmin, ogxst 1! Idsitee od 3 Seddtiarieg eed uvved iJiv baa w 7 chaps mad meds to yaa ,2el eet" Hi yiiarvib of ¥e 309039 egial A 1 senseot baa simebne 4 ty dud ,seomez ot’ siesta - bigest al noijgosxib yfaeds ; ‘ELE Io a20f2 mssoisasig d3tw°edosiq t20702 cimebne yniod ses a8 Bx6IqobiqeloI2eM Simedus 3nd s adjom Megiet Yo eolosqe oft Kone bos itia to eboarel onri0% edd Yo enero (yb) sgni ddl of3 to ebusisi enodtzomil eas ‘yo bodeloei ood bas. {Lome lesaiat odd ‘202 y2b 004 nedt0 bas , =! 255). Logging and its consequences There is currently little accessible lowland rain forest left on Fiji's two largest islands and much of the natural forest has disappeared on Viti Levu. Forested sections of the south-east have been heavily logged, largely due to easy accessibility from the capital Suva. Further pressure on these forests will have a serious effect on their flora and fauna. Impact on watersheds Rain forests have an important function in controlling the water cycle of the region, and on islands such as Viti Levu which are subject to severe hurricanes they afford considerable protection. Flooding earlier this year may have been exacerbated by the extensive logging that has already occurred. Logging on steep slopes or in areas with heavy rainfall leads to soil instability, subsequent erosion and loss of nutrients, particularly on volcanic soils such as those of Viti Levu. Soil run-off increases the turbidity of streams and rivers and may reduce the availability of pure water supplies. Much of the high rainfall on Viti Levu drains through the Rewa, Sigatoka and Navua Rivers to the south coast; logging within these watersheds would significantly increase their sediment loading. Of particular concern is the Navua catchment which contains approximately half the standing crop of harvestable timber. Impact of logging on the marine environment Sediment carried downstream by rivers is deposited along the coast and can adversely affect the marine environment. Coral mortality in the Suva area, due to the removal of vegetation from the watershed of the Rewa River, was recorded as early as 1924 and increased sediment loading in coastal waters is now recognised as being the major threat to Fiji's reefs. Corals invariably require clear, relatively nutrient-poor water as they depend on symbiotic algae within their tissues for their nutrients. Turbid waters inhibit photosynthesis in the algae, resulting in the death of the coral. Silt also causes oxygen depletion in the water and inhibits the recruitment of coral larvae which require a firm substrate for settling. Throughout the world, increased sediment loading of coastal waters is leading to Significant damage on fringing reefs. The Coral Coast is the main tourist resort area in Fiji, tourism being the second major source of foreign exchange in the country. The reefs are a major attraction for snorkelling, glass bottom boat tours, SCUBA diving and recreational fishing. They also provide an important source of fish and shellfish to local villagers and protect beaches from erosion by wave action and storms. The Suva Barrier Reef, rated as one of the top SCUBA diving sites in the world, may also be affected although it lies offshore. Water quality is deteriorating in the Suva Harbour area and further siltation in the Rewa River should be avoided at all costs if the appeal of this site is to be maintained. Damage to the south coast reefs from increased siltation in the Sigatoka, Navua and Rewa Rivers could have a significant impact on the tourist industry if the reefs lose their reputation with overseas visitors. = 2° EL it oo Ji9F Juenod fier bas leol otdtenosas elysit ylinepiv2 es ood ao bets sqgeatb ast ta@io? fewwdan odd Yo doum base ebnelei t2esgrat ows s~ ulivesd need oad Jewe-divor sii 40 enoityse bedasiod § .uved iaiv oO .Bvna” fatiqe’ ods mort ytifidiaasosa yseo of sh yisgisel pte 4 tient no Ja624se elotise 8 oved [liw eteoto? saedy no sivasst9g I eget baw Ba0lt 2 aber s19 few no. Jogemet - 9loyo t9taw ent a Jdnoo ni noidonwi Jnsdioqgu! as sven pide! rw od j90(due ote ¢ uved £9 28 douea abasfei no bas ,nciges ’ to eek gnibools — efdetsbiends byotie yori eeuscisish steves : aniggol. dwissedxe odd yd bedadvecexe nosd eved yom iesy eit seitape ~~ djiw assis ai to 29qoL2 qoosa ao gaigagol .berivs%0 ybsorls aed Sets =. zeol bie nofeois dInonpeadue ~uditidsdant [roe of ehaol Flatnias Yveed isiv To seodd es doe eifer sineslov no \foxfuxidrag ,adasiadue Yo smeoite 2 ¢sPbidwwi e644 eneacioni iio-nws Lio®)-vuved— Wm .asifqqis se98w esug to yJilivs(iave edt eoubeayem + ha of9 dgvosd) eniard vvsd FSiV no ELeintes =: wo yarn Moe guiggol ;/scoo fives eft oJ etevia =~ j Jaomibes rieds ceasiowi ylinertiiagie anietao> dvitw tosmiste> ayval eddsat Ge -todmit efdstesvasd Jo.qeas Wiaeiet doordt ges 218 3 d er laa won ei axedew L[ajanoo ai fd oudupot yideiaavei ef[s100 ,ateot av s be idoidmye no baeged yotd es 1sJ8w ro09Eq~ Sn » ie nt ete aedaw bidivT .2inoiadun sists 10d ae weeued OBfa -£e109 ed9 Lo dieeb od ni geidivecr ,osgh Leso9 Yo dnomdis 198% edt agididnt bas iodew ois oi noitsigeb aagy dain | ube “402 neerieens mite Saluert do itw oswy ~ fli som axoeos Jeiavod nism sii si dasod 3. ai egtad: » agi6702 ‘To So4w0e 16f4am bacosaa oddod 2 40% voijonitds totem eceg cele yout vanidel? {saoites1e: bas 9 y bns ategsifiv iec0f o3 d2iiliets bas eve edt .amioje bos noijoe svew yd noizoms +biaow oft ni gedie gnivib agvo2 god edt ae ae Bes -Biodaiio aoif 3% dauods a [in r9ddavi bas sod Heir 3 me fa we abt add. ii yr ; gteer Jasoo diese , 04 E e 8 oved bivos peak cindy =6.= Mangroves, a second important coastal habitat, serve as nursery areas for economically important fish, contribute to the protection of the coastline and play a major role in preventing siltation of coral reefs. They grow best in areas with significant inputs of freshwater, which may therefore be significantly altered by loss of forest. In Fiji, the main threat to mangroves is land reclamation, and there is a major effort underway to document this and formulate future management options. Indirect impacts from logging activities through altered freshwater input and increased sediment loading could negate these efforts to maintain pristine samples of mangrove habitat along the south coast, for example the proposed Samabula River mangrove reserve, near the mouth of the Rewa River. Impact of logging on flora and fauna Complete surveys of plants and animals are not available at this time (particularly for the invertebrates), but IUCN identifies 24 threatened animal species occurring in Fiji, listed in Appendix 4. A tenet of biogeographical theory is that the diversity of a fauna is, to some extent, a function of the area of vegetation with which it is associated. Any reduction of that area must be deleterious in terms of reducing diversity, the question is whether the losses are acceptable. There are too few scientific data to predict when accumulated reductions in area reduce diversity to such an extent that extinctions of endemic species become likely. However, within the limited confines of Fiji, where the small areas of rain forest are already under severe pressure, an extension of logging operations should only be undertaken with extreme caution and in the least environmentally disturbing way. General comments on the main taxonomic groups are as follows: Birds: Logging always adversely influences the number of bird species supported within a forest area. Although a few species increase their numbers and some others colonize the area, the majority of species decline in abundance and some species, usually those already at naturally low densities, suffer extinction. The Pink-billed Parrotfinch is a low-density species, endemic to south-eastern Viti Levu forests, and is a prime candidate for total extinction if logging on the island proceeds. Reptiles: Too little information is available on the ecology of Fiji's terrestrial reptiles to predict the consequences of logging for their population levels. Amphibians: The Fijian Ground Frog Platymantis vitianus and Fijian Tree Frog P. vitiensis are respectively mainly and entirely restricted to indigenous moist forest and thus particularly at risk from logging operations. Insects: It is only possible to assess the potential effects of logging on the Macrolepidoptera but there is good reason to suppose that the conclusions for this group of insects would relate closely to other groups. There are no data on the impact of logging on Fijian forests but in Vanuatu, large scale logging operations at Nouankao River on Erramango Island had an enormous and deleterious effect on the Lepidoptera, resulting in dominance by cosmopolitan species inhabiting secondary vegetation. Extinctions of Lepidoptera on Fiji are now a real possibility; two endemic forest species, Utetheisa clareae and Hypolimnas inopinata, are already seriously threatened. It is a small progression to the situation in Hawaii, where many species of insects are extinct and literally hundreds endangered. ~ 8 2095S Yteatin ea avaee ,Jadicded Kesnavo jasticqmt baoosa o (2ovotynes eft 40 soijsedosq |ty of studiadnos , Ait dnedtcami yilsoimonooe 401 fs109 to gobdeiLie grisaevera ai efor -otem 6 ystq bus sais iusos ,18Jewdees} bo -eduqni dasoilingin Miiw eds2e ni Jest worg yedi .aiee? at .deeao? to a20f yd botedla Yiinsoi tingin od s1icletels yen doidw « 2i ied bie ,noLismetoes beat 21 sevorgaem Od Jeomss nia ois , 728 snemeysnot cindy oteTumsoi bas aid Jnemueeb of yewsebau Jiotls soem beiatdia Hguorwls sopvivisos gniggol moad edorqmi joerlbai .ascttqo saei) sdagen blyod anibso! inamibse beessa5nt bia tuqni vw) awdesad add snols ssdided svoignsm to .a9lqmsa enidaitg mieiaion od o310%2e ,OvVIs2871 svougneM svi eludsmed boeoqosq sf3 afqmaxs i032 ,J2a00 diuoe -19ViR ewok edd to divom ond = nue. BAA. 29012 90 pnigsol to seqms emis zing: ds eldsSiave don 21s efamiine bre etesiq. io eyovane ad hensdreids &S eeitisnebs. W9Ui dad ,Cesdardetisyni sto aci ¢fyelwotsaa@) jo fened A.A KE Avni) bosetl,fEiR ae gnirvzwo50 2ciosqe fa ; Sma of ai ‘eauet 8 Na lstovib end Saft 2% yaveds [aol dqetgoegoid ees) ae w tidiw ai Jedexev oe #e1~8 Od Yo uci tonvi 8 ,dnedRe 10 eerred mb auoit sfab ad Jéum seas dadd io molJovbes yak . bedetooses oidatgsol8, oe gee20L, ad ordariw ‘eb qotteonp of) ,ylizasovib gatoober ( bedalumuoos aodw diheiq of ei8b oitisncioe voi on3 18 Sagat anobsonisze dents inodza- “ne of ysiewevib ooubds3 sexe of anolioubet = 2oni anos bodimit off aiddiw ,7 WA CGN SALT omosed esiosae + a oyever asban ybesils 018 Jao102 niex 20 2ae1s flame oni sisrw LES to 5 cexedtebay ed yoo bfuoda enoisex9gG gniggol io noizovixe aa , fe . Yow goidauselb yifsinemuozivas d2sel $aF wi one woituse smeasxe cai. ts ‘28 a8 aquorg: Simonorss olen adi a0 <3 nema “ baid do edaue “it aeonopini ylseievbs oyswis ynisgod wot 8 aR - 3B aida tw Hosiogquze oeisage atid Re Rn. pee 2 bie 2 sdmin sient gasoxoni eeissas amot bas sonobauds ai 81 hte ioeqa Ao ydiactem ai e518 .eoidiensb ei: jan ja W aig s2oms yifaven ,25i0vq2 Biat, 4 bal Lid-daike sft .aoidoniixe r97}v2 oved ffi) duox od Simabns,2%iveye ysiensd-woi ii nolvoniane 1 f: 30d he sieblbnse ‘omiag B Ribas 292970) “ rs vabgeoo1q: baaii and ao anigaol io sinsoas ‘edd 16 oldetinve ek noldamroini 9i44iL oot do aesrentgo vane ‘eft toibeig od weLidger {eiadesyas: «it i4 | abies spbicial aiedt 702 gnigaol yee neicia ott 4 v.25 30%4 eas oidieeog Zino ef 31 Lor ) mo gciggot 2° 9d, dads eeogque ewe edsfo. 5iuow doeqai sits Molluscs: Molluscs of the high volcanic islands are considered to be under greatest threat of all molluscan faunas. For example, on Hawaii, about 600 of the original 1061 endemic terrestrial snails are now extinct and a further 200-300 are considered endangered. Loss of forest habitat has been the major cause of their decline. Unfortunately the molluscs of Viti Levu are poorly known, but by extrapolation one can expect many extinctions with increasing forest loss. Plants: Particular groups of plant species at risk are epiphytes such as ferns, orchids and bryophytes. Protected areas A review of the protected areas system of Oceania has recently been carried out by Arthur Dahl for IUCN. Although this work is still in draft form there are a number of conclusions which can be drawn. Dahl drew up a list of all islands of sufficient size and/or isolation to be potentially of some distinct conservation interest. A second list of 226 islands of significant conservation interest due to the presence of features such as endemic species or protected areas was then drawn up and subjected to an analysis based on values allotted for a variety of features of conservation interest including ecosystem and species richness, numbers of threatened species, endemism, etc. Viti Levu was ranked fifth highest in importance after New Caledonia, Lord Howe, New Guinea and Norfolk Island. The report also notes that east of Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and Vanuatu, lowland rain forests generally survive only as small fragments (or in remote islands or areas). It suggests that whenever possible these remaining samples should be included in protected areas (perhaps while allowing other compatible uses such as education and recreation). Plants and communities that are unique to or representative of Fiji’s native flora and fauna are not represented within existing reserves and should be protected, particularly on Viti Levu which has the greatest variety of Fijian endemics. There are currently 12 protected areas in Fiji, of which seven occur on Viti Levu. The only reserve protecting forest in the area of interest to the Commonwealth Development Corporation is the Garrick Memorial Reserve which appears to be the only reasonably secure reserve in Fiji. Situated 40 km west of Suva, it has an area of 695 ha, principally covered with tropical rain forest and some secondary growth, and is the only reserve on Viti Levu that is a truly representative sample of medium—altitude rain forest. It was donated freehold to the National Trust for Fiji and efforts are being made to develop it into the first national park. It was selectively logged about 90 years ago, and logging has occurred up to the marked boundary. Approximately half of the reserve has been surveyed, but no species inventory is currently available. 1t is nevertheless likely that many of the island's endemic forest birds and other endemic species occur here but it is unlikely that a reserve of this size is large enough to ensure species survival in the long-term. od of beyesbienoo 94a 2bnelai cinsolov dgid efi lo adeuliow -2oew Lot «02 =. Bettys? nepeutiom Fie Io. Jseawds—teesastg rebau >imebae Loos fanigiao sdd io 008 Jyods- eilawati no ,eiquexs By; OGE-00% terltana « bné: Joatdxe won sae elisae Ieitsesrsed a asad 2a desided deere) to 2402 .bexegnshbae beasdlanos ose = add yfotanus10IM. .cnilasd ried4 to eeueo sotsm os yd dud awond yrsoog e386 uved isf¥ to eoeution idiw adoldonbtxs ‘ynem Joeqxe neo ono noissloge s7Ko~ -a30f Jeeto? gaivso rn: eptedaing 218 Sais Je setooge dnelq te aquoxs saluoisae4 cejneia .astydqoyad bus zbidor0: «2015? as. dove ne ce all 4 coors bedgedons | nocd igidipons eed ‘sinae20 | to. mod 2ye wees hedoetord oat 40 sical ot od” fLide ak snow aint Aguods ta -WOQUL YO? Leled audios yd tuovbeismtas, — Idd fies. od. y fo tide anoteslonos 1o Tedmwa » exs oscdd mot Stasb ed Ov) goisafoei “p-eRie gaetabive ig eboeiei iic io ssii se quwemb do deif bnoose A . d29uedni moi~awasenos domideib smoz io yifetteedoq ~ “Yo sanez0eag ef) o¢ sub. Jeorsini apisevasamoo dnsotiingia io abaetebh SS _ qu, aWetD ned) a6w resus bedve¥ag 10 eoiveqe Fimebro ec dove eeawseOd io yseiuev s 302 bedvolin esufay no beaad ateylons as 04 betootdua pas asiseqe ee aia -gnibyloni seousiai noltevisenco to oonsdill 2ew wval igiv . Ca anaperiiae 2eq@ bensdserds jo siodmun , eee = <9WOH Brod, ,eF pin ohatian wen ‘eonadixogmi ai Jesdgis 433i%- % to = vee opis J20qs7 ofF .bnatzi Aloiio*- bes sents ~ tilorenes e102 fist 5asiwof ,usauaaV baie enomeloe ofd sects we | -f2a8998 Jo. fer. siomex i 30) sdnemges? Iiome 26 yino eviwage ~~ ed Sfuode 20 gniniames oshd sidizeoq ieveneiw jadi adeoggua >. = onsitggnee reitio. esate afi agadveq) ness2 bsjosio39 af . (ndisesi9s81 bas coitsoubd> as doe a tL 2d. 20" su PIads q bas agvaseey ghidge: & got ‘don aie ‘pave? bas #702) t2esee7g odd 2 Re bianuxan “for ¥Pasiueigssq ,bessstonq od at 2se%s bevasdoig st He eee -aoimebas neitit io ¥ eae. ed ow 3no00 novos doidw to . ond ot Jaoae, Re lo. 8s 1B of aa q ovisesd Ceitomet) As ias6. Mee Thaesetouss dat om eine ens ed od a oid Ag wved G4ifV no eviseet vino $1 -daga0d afer sbusitia-muibem _atied $18 adj103%> bne ifi% 10% seus _ gtovisseten aew Jl .At9nq fanoida Aisa oft of qu beaivo90 aati goly ; Ait teakedsaevon ei 31 .ofdatiava jon egas. aber aids Io @vi02e7 4 ye ae ) ya a parent ond oi one tae The remaining six reserves within Viti Levu are listed in Appendix 1. It is notable that there are no significant areas of land protected on this island and those reserves that do exist are generally not representative of the important habitats on the island. The traditional land tenure system (where 83% of land is under communal ownership) has meant that it is difficult to establish protected areas. Of the 177 ‘natural phenomena’ identified in Fiji by the National Trust, only 22 types are protected in nature reserves and most of the recognised habitat types on Viti Levu appear to receive little or no protection. Forestry legislation allows for the establishment of Forest Reserves (as Crown Land or long-term native leases) and enables parts of native land to be declared Protected Forest (with the consent of the Native Land Trust Board). A small area of forests on ridges and very steep slopes is classified as ‘protection forest’ and may not be logged. Prior to 1975, all areas of mangrove outside urban areas were declared forest reserves, but were declassified in 1975 to allow Fijians to practise their traditional rights; they are now vulnerable to development. Dahl (1980) considered that Fiji will need large parks to provide adequate protection for endemic birds, plants and marine ecosystems, and many smaller reserves to protect more restricted ecosystems. This is particularly true for Viti Levu which requires both mountain and lowland forest reserves (preferably continuous), as well as separate reserves in the east and west. The National Trust for Fiji has stressed that the future of Fiji's rainforests and wildlife is far from secure. It considers that the establishment of a system of reserves and parks on Viti Levu, where development is proceeding most rapidly, is a priority. Proposals have been made to extend the system of protected areas; those within the specified area of interest in south-eastern Viti Levu are listed in Appendix 2. If these proposals are finalized and the areas protected, coverage of natural features by protected areas will be considerably improved. However, as one of the criteria for identifying suitable areas was to avoid conflict with agricultural schemes, forestry projects and other development plans, it is possible that several habitat types and their biota would still be under represented within the protected areas system. Remedial actions This submission contains no specific recommendations, as these were not requested and in any case only general observations could be made. The most obvious of these must, however, be mentioned, namely the need for extensive environmental impact assessment prior to any decision to proceed with logging. Such assessment should treat not only the areas proposed for logging but also the coastal areas downstream of them. IUCN(CMC) is available for further suggestions and comment if required. « @ = i xibeoaga ai bedail ore vved ig4¥ middiw 2eviese: xie agniniames ofT to bejootong Havel to epere Javoitingie on ewe gieds jsd3 sidajon ai J ton ¥liareneg et 4aixs ob dod+ agVre807 eaorls bas busfai xidd edt .baefed od3 do etetided Inatzoqmi odd to ovisesnone1ges =~ fenummon tebau ai basi to f£8 szedw) medgye siuned bast [anoisibars bedoslomy detidsdes of sfuolt4ib ef Si Jedd Jneom ead (qidex9nwe efd yd ifid of beitidnebi ‘enemonedq faavder’ VIL ed? 10 .288%8 J20m bas 2éViIeseI Siudan an betoedo1g ora e9qyd SS yiao ,daust Lenoljau _ oi¢4il oviacen oF apeqge uve i7f¥ oo aeqyd Jotidad bseingooss oi To 10 jaomiaiidetes ond Tot-ewolle aoddeLeigel yxtaei0% .noliootorg om 0 zefdane bane (a9aee! sviden miJ-gnol 10’ bas) nword a2) sovi920d Je@308 tasados sid dhiw) das203% beyoodo19 beisfoeb ed of bowl ovisen to edaeq bns. 293611 ao 2420707 Yo sexe ELeme A .(baso@ dawiT ouel ovistev odd Yo oh ed fon yaa bas ‘329101 aoisosdo1q' 28 belitiaes{> 2i eegole qsese Qlev ; a19W sa916 medi ebistuo svozgnom Yo esos Lie 282) of s0oix4 -beggor ~~ wolts of €V@i ni beitiasslosb s1sw gud ,eeviess2 j29302 bersfosb sidsieniiy won sts ‘youd —* cue ts inet aiedy s2ijsaxq.02 peta of ,anemgot f aK : a OR Pa ee ot. asia ‘Lkiw itis Jedd borebience (OB@L) Rasa * samndeyzoae enfaem bes ejaeiq ,absid simebne 20% 6.1 i>>%07q edaupebs oo “pero ot0m F29d0%q OF soviyeor 79! Isme yas bas =~ 1isper wyed 191V 10) 6114 ylxefuotdseqgial Bh : ’ UidereIe7q) eev10e2s1 j26302 baalwok — a Laced i 4102, jaunt pete ony .jgew one J2s9 edi ni eevasies — w bns avgeroanées. e*EEDM to caus) of) todd boeadada ~ 10 Inamdeiidetes ead deft crebissos Jl .enmseR — | ly dnemqolsveb grew jvvel [4i) so akxsq bam § ebem deed evad alesogos’ .ysiz0izg@ alee Liveqe end giiteiw 62081 :28048 ee sk HqQA oi bedzil exe vved isiV aes ee ,Betoototg enexs edd bad bosif avon Yidersbienos od Lliw ages aw ase sfdedive gniyi! tachi 10d af > be adosioug Yiseeiod ,eomeioe Ceawd ; ye rf S3otd riot bag eeqyd detidan Leievee toads ofdi ei “Ta | Maley? eaeT betogsorq eS niddiw bosasse ges tebas ad ni om . ; OES. aie . een atiiceqs on ainda’ sol chau . a lara ta bas ‘ y } \3evswod ,Jeum seers to avo | Aokgisod yas oF 2 s Joaqmi [sinomnorivas evi azote ens yino Jom Igor ‘kbc dnemeacacs dove .gnizact ddiw Tes2e00 of% o2f9 Jud gaizyof 203 References 1. 10. 1l. 12. 13. 14. WEY 6 16. Ash, J. and Vodonaivalu, S. (in prep.). Floristic inventory of Fiji. Draft paper for a Report on Tropical Forest Inventory by D. Campbell. Balgooy, M.M.J. van (1971). Plant-geography of the Pacific as Based on a Census of Phanerogam Genera. Blumea Suppl. 6. Rijksherbarium, Leiden. Berry, M.J. and Howard, W.J. (1973). Fiji Forest Inventory. 2 vols. Land Resources Study 12. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Overseas Development Administration. Dahl, A.L. (1980). Regional Ecosystems Survey of the South Pacific Area. Technical Paper 179. South Pacific Commission. Dunlap, R.C. and Singh, B.B. (1980). A National Parks and Reserves System for Fiji. A Report to the National Trust for Fiji. 3 vols. Eaton, P. (1984). Land Tenure and Conservation: Protected Areas in the South Pacific. Unpublished report. Lal, P.N. (1984). Environmental Implications of Coastal Development in Fiji. Ambio 13 (5-6): 316-321. Myers, N. (1980). Conversion of Tropical Moist Forests. (A report prepared for the Committee on Research Priorities in Tropical Biology of the National Research Council). National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. 205 pp. Robinson, G.S. (1975). Macrolepidoptera of Fiji and Rotuma: A Taxonomic and Biogeographic study. E.W. Classey, Faringdon. 362 pp. Saenger, P., Hegerl, E.J. and Davie, J.D.S. (Eds) (1983). Global Status of Mangrove Ecosystems. Commission on Ecology Papers Number 3. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 88 pp. Singh, B. (1985). Country Review: Fiji. Third South Pacific National Parks and Reserves Conference and Ministerial Meeting. Apia, Western Samoa, 24 June - 3 July 1985. Smith, A.C. (1951). The vegetation and flora of Fiji. Scientific Monthly 73: 3-15. Smith, A.C. (1979- ). Flora Vitiensis Nova: A New Flora of Fiji. Pacific Tropical Botanic Garden, Hawaii. (2 vols so far. 1 - Gymnosperms and monocotyledons except orchids, 495 pp.; 2 - dicotyledons, 810 pp.; 3,4 - dicotyledons and orchids, in prep). Smith, A.C. (1984). In litt. Watling, D. (1982). Birds of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Millwood Press, Wellington. Wells, S.M. (1985). Fiji. IUCN Directory of Coral Reefs of International Importance. Volume 3 Western Central Pacific. Draft. wives.» wu. . Ot Sorgen Sisco ies ee aeeai dquo pda oad .. tk, Fed a ya Rinker | +e! Pibia 2.8 ek a 4°35 0 4a med tCeeer) 4 , aos +i vise T aoe ae plea ir sles nia : ee? .; a aN ! ad oo & he : - i>: Semmes era arene 2 | pHRREL) wt ‘ol i a a Regn foe) fo ole FU weueri: 2% ttl 73 | Dewey (OeSeL) ., ewes ow eg | qnut et aie VtTeet), A ee - thy 8 * abe 3 | re ke Sager’ 2 ¢ vi) SH pi : eT re abaya ee ee ee preteen ; des F ° OT. Pa vA, peanrt Sagwes? ie hen: sane Fac ye "39h .0 ge : _ twa a ee denselia cteeet) cit = teas Se ee . “4 oy : 5 = ' : : = ee é' r ¢ me bo = i} ‘ 14 eae ike! a, c \ i é f 7 4 ve paw Pe i : : Fa Appendix 1 Reserves within Viti Levu A Garrick Memorial Reserve (described in text) B Suva_and Namuka Forest Reserve, Bay of Islands, Suva containing: Draunibota Nature Reserve 2 ha. Limestone island, forest and scrub. Labiko Nature Reserve 0.3 ha. Limestone island, forest and scrub. Vuo Nature Reserve 1.2 ha. Atoll, beach forest. Cc Nadarivatu - Nadala Forest Reserve containing: Nadarivatu Nature Reserve 93 ha. Approximately 80 km north-west of Suva. Montane rain forest. Naqaranibuluti Nature Reserve 279 ha. 83 km north-north-west of Suva. Montane rain forest (includes Mt Lomalangi). Tomanliivi Nature Reserve 1350 ha. 80 km north-north-west of Suva. Montane rain forest and cloud forest, (includes Mt Victoria, Fiji's highest mountain). M9 Vr by a a re. Z \ 1a 3 ys Tg = ' we f Lie ; ; 2 iN ty i Tatts meh : ago * OF a Pate ne Te ¥ ce) > et maal Appendix 2 List of Proposed Reserves in the Area of Interest Specified by CDC (in order of priority set by the National Trust for Fiji) Proposed Area Sigatoka Sand Dunes Waidradra Agricultural Research Station Samabula River Mangroves Naulu Lokia Swamps Mt Voma - Korobasabasaga Range Suva Barrier Reef Navua Swamp Savura Creek Catchment Area Coral Coast Reefs Navua River Mt Rama - Korobaba Range Reserve/ Park D7 ts) — 7D Main reason for protection geological feature Neoveitchia storckii (palm) unique species of mangrove and conservation eduction whitebrowed rail and other birds geological feature. protect reef Sago palms commercially valuable indigenous spp. (tropical rain forest) protect reefs and enhance tourism perpetuation of culture geological feature War ed tee Ligede 2u6seant Spas eek 43 20a Be Ab apd taaXK (nao ads "ee oom Beene anno ma | aes 2a agi sretos4. 30: 38% ageeey oT aod ; i an never ‘4 1A ; = moat a9v25 Ltasesal sail, avonnnietl ed ghee sal eet etad baw 4 ix248 ava pe) a bea) : joe eee : . eae ee» Le E > 3 1 ; : 7 ( - apophatbet aldapd a die3 8 ae | i? fate) acon aS Threatened Category Definitions used in Appendices 3 & 4. The categories used in this list represent an assessment of the global status of a species and do not necessarily refer to its status within Fiji. Endangered (E) Vulnerable (V) Rare (R) Indeterminate (I) Insufficiently Known (K) Commercially Threatened (CT) Taxa in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue operating. Taxa believed likely to move into the "Endangered" category in the near faiture if the causal factors continue operating. Taxa with small world populations that are not at present ‘Endangered’ or "Vulnerable" but are at risk. Taxa known to be ‘Endangered', ‘Vulnerable’ or "Rare' but where there is not enough information to say which category is appropriate. Taxa that are suspected, but not definitely known, to belong to any of the other categories because of lack of information. Taxa not currently threatened with extinction but most or all of whose populations are threatened as a sustainable resource, or will become so unless their exploitation is regulated. me) i qwcns yond tae Qi ibouotaws. s aia as bade ¢ Faces vite, bh Pe x ay ie kow ay * & i gis Z ». an i Mm | « E i - 4 ea ‘ = i . T © =~ * * Se os oe AMPHIBIANS Platymantis vitianus Fiji Ground Frog x ? Platymantis vitiensis Fiji Tree Frog x ? INVERTEBRATES With over 3000 species of insects and probably in excess of 500 other invertebrates on Fiji, they represent an important part of the island biota. Many are poorly known, but evidence from the Macrolepidoptera (butterflies and moths) implies that about 50% of these may be endemic. Of Fiji's 400 Macrolepidoptera, approaching 200 are endemic and virtually all of these are forest species. Endemism among molluscs is also high, particularly at the generic level and many taxa are forest dwellers. 9 a od . ek terete t a : teat aeet koe ae aataane OBE » aed a ‘ su. S aed =e Appendix 6 Conservation legislation Laws that specifically deal with conservation include the following: (a) National Trust for Fiji Act (Chapter 265) Established the National Trust for Fiji and gives it responsibility for preservation, protection and management of the Fijian heritage. It provides for the permanent preservation of land (including reefs) for the benefit of the nation; the protection and augmentation of such lands and their surroundings and to preserve their natural aspect and features; to protect animal and plant life; and to provide for the access to and enjoyment by the public of such lands. (b) Town Planning Act (Chapter 109) - For the preparation of Town Planning Schemes including the conservation of natural beauties of the area including lakes, banks of rivers, foreshore or harbours, and other parts of the sea, hill slopes, summits and valleys. (c) Native Land Trust Act (Chapter 115) - Gives provision to proclaim nature reserves over any part of native land. (d) Land Conservation Act (Chapter 120) - Provisions to appoint Land Conservation Officers. (e) Birds and Game Protection Act (Chapter 120) - Prohibits the hunting of most birds except certain scheduled species and controls the hunting of game species. (Ge) Fisheries Act (Chapter 135) with provisions to control fishing methods. (g) Mining Act (Chapter 125) with provisions to conduct environmental] impact assessments and to restore areas (h) Forestry Act (Chapter 128) with provisions to declare areas of Crown land as reserved forest and nature reserves and to declare parts of native land as protected forest Legislation that has been dratted or proposed and awa:ts enactment nedu the following: 1) National Parks and Reserves Bill proposed by the Na opi A new Town and Country Planning Act i fi 4 agi j F 4 } ee , j aa | us NV AS G1 3 ‘Bane Sh awe rv sywert at se are OF & 5 ’ v7 ’ ! ’ eee b posite ta b wiTA @ +A ie Taeel Ee thee ais ' v 44 “ ret) ‘ ated ' au a A ; < ser’ . o