THE Forests Ministry acted on a request by Adi Cakobau School to cut the treeline close to the main school block area.
Director Forests Central/Eastern Division Apisai Rinamalo said a request was made after the treeline became a hazard for teachers and students.
“There was no EIA and ministry acted on the request of the school and that the matter was very urgent.
“We had reports of branches and flying debris on classroom blocks and on the hostels, so we decided it best to cut the trees.
“However, the access to this treeline had to be accessed from the mountain top, thus we agreed to cut all the trees along this slope, because they were becoming dangerous for the school.”
Mr Rinamalo said with the probability of a landslide now high, the Forests Ministry and the school would build a retaining wall.
“There are plans for a replanting program, but taking into consideration that maturity takes between 20-50 years there are other plans which the school has, and we will work according to their plans,” said Mr Rinamalo.
It is understood the school management is looking at expanding the school by clearing the top soil and levelling it for expansion.
