Valuing rivers, which are important transporters of water and nutrients needed to sustain the planet’s ecosystems, including human life, is increasingly being recognised as critical to global efforts to adapt to climate change.
European Union ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam noted this during the commemoration of the World Rivers Day in Navutu, Sigatoka yesterday where the Nature Based Solution River Bank Protection Project using vetiver grass technology was commissioned.
“Supporting communities like Navutu Village in adapting to the impacts of climate change is part of the EU’s key focus in Fiji and the Pacific” Mr Seam said.
“Green transition is one of the key priorities of the new EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, while the EU Green Deal is one of the top priorities of the union.
“Nature-based solutions can reduce the risk of soil erosion, flooding and provide recreational benefits and opportunities for tourism.”
A statement from the embassy noted that Navutu Village was identified as one of the high priority areas for conservation as arable land was being lost rapidly.
Villagers will be engaged in the maintenance of vetiver grass planted along its river banks.
Mr Seam said the EU was proud to support several policy objectives of Fiji’s National Climate Change Policy and provide women with training and assistance to make environmentally friendly artefacts that would also contribute to their livelihoods.
The “Building Community Resilience to Climate Change through Civil Society Action” is implemented by a consortium of local civil society organisations including Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation, Dialogue Fiji and Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding which collaborate with the Ministry Agriculture, Waterways and Environment.
The three-year $1.7 million project is funded by the European Union.
