INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN FIJI

Transcription

1 INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN FIJI PREPARED BY MR I. RATUKALOU AND MR. F.FINIASI OF MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTRY OF WORKS, REPUBLIC OF FIJI FOR THE HELP ICM WORKSHOP, HELD FROM 7 TH 12 TH OF NOVEMBER,2005, NELSON,NZ.

2 Presentation Outline Introduction Country Background Pilot Study of Rewa River Catchment Land Use Issues and Impacts Current and Future Strategies Conclusion.

3 Republic of the Fiji Islands

4 Introduction Integrated Catchment Management is a holistic approach to managing natural resources within the river catchment.. This involves all stakeholders that use and manage land,water and other natural resources. The loss of biodiversity and degradation of land and water resources rces through deforestation and unsustainable use have created an immense impact on all of Fiji s s river catchments and the surrounding reef ecosytem. Land degradation and depletion of plant nutrients due to soil erosion is becoming a serious and expensive problem Soil erosion affects the fertile top soil - loss of the top soil reduces the supply of nutrients in the soil and rooting volume of the crops. There are two types of soil erosion - Natural erosion - Human induced ( accelerated) erosion. Both leads to reduction of crop yield and other downstream impacts such as sedimentation of rivers, destruction of fish spawning areas etc.

5 Country Background The Land - Consists of 340 islands. -Total land area - 1,837,789 hectares(18,378 sq km). - Viti Levu - 10,388 sq km. - Vanua Levu 5535 sq km. The Geology - Geologically young country - Volcanic material and sedimentary rocks - Raised limestone reef and alluvial terraces The Soil Erodibility - Natural erosion rate is high because of youthful landscape - Erosion Index is high -700 for dry zone and 800 for wet zone

6 Fiji Land Capability Classification Land Class I II III IV v VI VII + VIII Arable Best arable land Good arable land Fair arable land Non- Arable Marginal arable land Good grazing land Fair grazing land and Forestry land Marginal Forestry Unsuitable Land Uses Very wide range Wide range Narrow range Very narrow range( tree crops) Pasture, subsistence cultivation, Forestry Pasture/ Forestry Protection Forestry or left natural state

7 Land Capability Classification

8 Land Capability Classification SLOPE GROUP LUC CLASS VITI LEVU VANUA LEVU Flat ( 0-3º) 0 I 16% 15% Undulating to Rolling ( º) Steepland ( 16 +) II IV 17% 13% V -VIII 67% 72%

9 Climate Fiji lies km South of the equator. South East Trade winds Mean monthly temperatures of 23ºc c in July and 27ºC C in January Mean annual rainfall- -windward side mm ( wet zone) -leeward side mm (dry zone)

10 Local T & W Classification Recent Soils from Coastal Sand Recent Soils from Alluvium Nigresent Soils Latosolic Soils Humic Latosols Soils Ferruginuous Latosols Red Yellow Podsolic Soils Gley Soils Organic Soils Saline soils of the Marine Marsh Soils of Fiji and Its Erodibility USDA Classification Order Entisols and Inceptisols Entisol, Inceptisols and Mollisols Inceptisols Mollisols and Vertisols Andisols and Inceptisols Inceptisols,Alfisols and Ultisols Oxisols, Ultisols and Inceptisols Ultisols and Inceptisols Inceptisols Histosols Entisols and Inceptisols USDA Classification Sub-order Psamment and Tropept Aquent, Tropept and Udoll Tropepts, Ustoll and Userts Udand and Tropept Tropepts,Udalf and Humult Ustox, Ustults and Tropepts Humult, Ustult and Tropepts Aquepts and Tropepts Fibrist Aquents and Aquapepts Soil Erodibility Moderate Low High to Severe Moderate High Severe High Moderate Severe High

11 Population and Land Use Population at December,1996 was 772,655. Fijian comprising 51.1% Indo-Fijian 43.6% Rotumans,, Chinese, etc. make up the rest 40% live in rural areas, migration to urban areas is significant. 40 years between 1956 and total population increased from 345, ,655. Land used for agriculture increased - 178, ,272 hectares. Number of farms also increased - 242, 500 in 1968 to 591,407 in Average size of farms decreased from 7.2 ha.in 1968 to 6.2 ha. In 1991.

12 Agriculture The Sector contributes % to GDP and $400 million in foreign exchange annually from % of total land area suited to some form of agriculture 16% is suitable for sustainable arable farming. Actual land use reported in 1991 Agr Census: - 39% or 230,881 ha as being cropped land - 29% or 173,406 ha as being pastures and grazing land - 32% or 187,120 ha as being natural, planted forest and non- agriculture areas. - More arable land being converted to housing and industries - Agriculture has shifted towards the marginal to steep land as evident in the sugar cane growing area.

13 Area of land-use type by division and province Division and Province Agricultu re Planted Forest Natural Forest Nonagriculture Total Land Area Central 76, ,532 17, ,150 Naitasiri 30,502 1,117 47,730 5,766 85,115 Namosi 3,510 1,107 22,351 1,532 28,500 Rewa 5, ,653 2,511 19,223 Serua 7, ,604 4,112 29,321 Tailevu 29, ,225 3,455 65,991 Western 269,743 41, , , ,414 Ba 121,679 30,448 52,630 62, ,026 Nadroga/Navosa 101,817 9,349 25,702 49, ,683 Ra 46,229 1,976 42,000 19, ,705 Northern 190,039 15, ,284 28, ,737 Bua 34,170 12,707 52,789 9, ,484 Cakaudrove 69,467 1,379 74,862 6, ,305 Macuata Eastern 54,906 4,152 37,451 19, ,327 Kadavu 6,125 1,627 13,036 13,503 34,291 Lau 29,492 1,710 8,671 2,095 41,968 Lomaiviti 15, ,124 4,200 35,348 Rotuma 4, ,720 TOTAL 591,407 64, , ,967 1,306,601 Source: National Agriculture Census, MAFF (1991)

14 Forestry Forest Sector contributes 2.5% GDP and $50million in foreign exchange annually Sector expected to earn $100million when mahogany will start to be logged processed. It employs more than 1,000 workers Deforestation is moderate. - Since ,000 to 14,000 ha. of native forest converted to non forest land use such as; - Large scale commercial agriculture etc - But its afforestation program has been very successful - 43,000 ha. of pine plantation - 42,000 ha. of mahogany plantation through re-afforestation program - 47% of Fiji is forest covered.

15 Fiji Forest Resources Production Forestry Hectares % a) Indigenous Forest 187, State Land 5,240 Reserve Land 940 State Lease 840 Native Land 167,340 Freehold Land 13,340 b) Forest Plantations 112, State Land 5,180 Reserve 6,080 Hardwood Corporation Plantation 49,850 Fiji Pine Ltd. Plantation 43,680 Private 7,700 c)protection Forestry 260, Protection Forest 242,310 Mangrove 18,020 Indigenous Logged Forest 309, Total Forest Area 870, Total Land Area 1,830,

16 VITI LEVU CATCHMENT

17 Rewa River Catchment Pilot Study

18 Land Use in the Rewa Catchment Land Use Area( sq km) % Forestry 2,164 70% Agriculture 160 5% Grazing % Grassland % Urban 20 1% Total 3, Source JICA 1998

19 Hydro &Water Supply In the upper catchment an earth fill hydro- electricity dam located at Monasavu on the Wainimala at an elevation of 745m AMSL, receives an average annual rainfall of about 5000 mm. Within the catchment there are two major water supply intakes, both located on the southern most tributary (Waimanu( Waimanu) ) of the Rewa river. Water treatment facilities are located away from the flood plains s on high ground and access is by road across the flood plain. Water is drawn by pumps for the Suva - Nausori reticulated water supply system. It serves more than people with water that is filtered and disinfected. The Waimanu pump draws an average of m3 /day while the other pumping station located at Waila draws about m3 /day.

20 Land Use Issues and Impacts Demographic changes , the total population increased from 345, ,655 Land used for agriculture increased from 178,259 ha - 393, 272 ha.

21 Pressure on the production base 75% of land resources is marginal to steep land. Soil loss measurement in Waibau SLRS, 50 tons/ha/year of soil loss compared to 13.5 tons/ha/yr.

22 Natural Erosion Landslide Feeding Debris into the River A Typical Landslide Recent Flood River Bank Erosion

23 Use of Appropriate technologies Urgent need to match land use/crop type and land capability- for sustainable crop production. DEFORESTATION LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY BURNING STEEP LAND GRAZING STEEP LAND AGRICULTURE SOIL EROSION ON STEEP LAND AGRICULTURE EXCESSIVE SOIL EROSION ON STEEP LAND SUGAR CANE FARMING

24 Use of Appropriate Logging Techniques Unplanned Logging Road Alignment Uncontrolled Logging Clear Felling

25 On- Site Effect of Land Degradation Soil erosion Loss of plant nutrients- Soil fertility loss Reduction in soil depth Decrease in soil water holding capacity Loss of Biodiversity Increase in weeds, pest and disease infestation.

26 EXAMPLES OF ON SITE EFFECT OF LAND DEGRADATION DEFORESTATION AND LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY SOIL EROSION SOIL FERTILITY LOSS REDUCTION IN SOIL DEPTH DECREASE IN SOIL WATER HOLDING CAPACITY INCREASE PEST INFESTATION

27 Lack of physical infrastructure Under-resourcing resourcing by Government for rural development.

28 Water resources Lack of knowledge about water mgmt. Fiji have recently approved in principle an integrated water resources policy.

29 Inappropriate land use in the watersheds Land degradation causes on- site and off-site effects. Total dredging cost for 5 years- $4 ( $US2) million dollars.

30 Off-Site Effect of Land Degradation Increased sedimentation in river systems Formation of mud banks Reduce navigability of the rivers Flash floods during heavy rain Reduce water quality Destruction of fish spawning areas Loss of reef biodiversity

31 EXAMPLE OF OFF- SITE EFFECT OF LD SEDIMENTATION & FORMATION OF MUD BANKS REDUCE NAVIGABILITY OF THE RIVER DREDGING - COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FLASH FLOODING REDUCTION OF WATER QUALITY DESTRUCTION OF FISH SPAWNING AREA

32 Soil loss in Rewa Catchment Watershed Soil loss Tons/ha/year Total soil loss Million tons/year Rewa Ba Sigatoka Nadi Sources: JICA,1998

33 Cost of Dredging in the Rewa River Year Cost ( F$1000) , , , Total 4,880 Source: JICA,1998.

34 Flood Damage by Cyclone Kina Asset Rewa Watershed General Asset $28,536, Agricultural Crops $26,167, Business Activities $ 413, Public Facilities $11,414, Total $66,530, Cyclone Kina,January,1993 Sources: JICA 1998

35 Inappropriate land use in coastal margin Large scale reclamation of mangrove swamp proven to be uneconomical.

36 Coastal Erosion UNPLANNED COASTAL VILLAGES CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS ON COASTAL AREAS AGRICULTURE WITHOUT BUFFER ZONES ON THE COAST THE EFFECT OF SEA LEVEL RISE

37 Information Poor public understanding on various legislation on land resources management. Lack of reliable information on land resources for sound land use decision making

38 Land Tenure Between 1997 to 2028 a total of 13,140 leases issued under ALTA will expire. Most of the land in the catchment is communally owned by indigenous land owning units ALTA and NLTA issues needs to be resolved to enhance investors confidence in Fiji s s economy.

39 Poverty 25 percent of Fiji s population are living below poverty line ( World Bank Report, 1998)

40 Poor Local Control, Responsibility and Incentive because of Central Government Control Centralisation of planning. Lack of ability by Government and NLTB to manage natural resources.

41 Legislation and Policies that Regulates ICM

42 Legislation and Policies that Governs Land and Water Resources Use Environment Management Act 2005 Land Conservation Improvement Act 1953 Native Land Trust Act Crown Land Act Forestry Act Streams and Rivers Act Agriculture Landlord and Tenants Act Land Development Act National Rural Land Use Policy Water Policy Urban Policy

43 Current and Future Strategies for Integrated Catchment Management. NSDP Environment, Land Resources Sector etc. Participatory Land Use Plan of 187 Districts. Geographical Information Systems Remote Sensing Data -Land & Water Resources Analysis On farm soil loss research and extension programs. Awareness and training programs. Capacity Building( forest, water, soil and land ) Formation of Landcare Groups Transfer of low cost Sustainable Land Management Technologies ( SLMT). Sustainable Forestry Management. Synergies UNFCC,UNCBD & UNCCD Integrated Catchment Management.

44 GIS Land &Water Resources Analysis Analysis of land and water resources for suitability is vital for ICM.

45 Remote Sensing Application for Resources Management Studies

46 Soil loss Research Site On - farm soil research on root crops such as ginger, dalo and cassava. Soil loss 50 + tons/ha/year but with Hedgerows eg pineapple less than 5 tons/ha/year. Farmers field days to disseminate SLM /SFM information and share experiences.

47 Soil Erosion Modeling FLUME SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR WATER LEVEL SENSOR SOIL EROSION WITH LAND USE MAP

48 Training & Awareness Farmer training on the use of new Technologies for SLM & SFM Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise with the farmers re- emphasising the need to practice SLM.& SFM. Need for better coordinated ICM at grass roots level ( Landcare Groups)

49 Formation of Landcare Groups

50 Capacity Building Human Resources in the areas of Climate Change, Bio-Diversity, Land Degradation and other science and technological areas are below critical mass in Fiji, therefore the need to enhance capacity building in these areas is vital.

51 Contour Cultivation & Agro-forestry Contour cultivation of pineapples and other crops. Reduce soil loss from 50tons/ha/yr to less tan 5tons/ha/yr. Agroforestry program- Dalo cultivation under erythrina/ drala.( 1997/1998 Drought 1.3-2kg dalo corm harvested under erythrina while 0.9kg under open space)

52 Sustainable Land Management Practices INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM ALLEY CROPPING CONTOUR FARMING MULCHING CONTOUR FARMING WITH HEDGE ROWS GRAZING UNDER COCONUTS

53 Sustainable Forestry Management Practices National Code of Logging Practice,1990

54 Conclusion Biodiversity and Land Degradation are indeed a very expensive problem. Public Awareness and Education on the application of Integrated Catchment Management is vital. Full community participation with ownership needs to be supported with strengthened institutional arrangements that have legislative authority and resources. The need to empower communities to make good informed decisions on resources use is vital for sustainable development and management t of natural resources. Fiji needs to enhance its international and regional commitments to access technical assistance, mobilisation of resources and create synergies on UNCBD,UNFCC and UNCCD. Fiji urgently needs to enhance its commitment towards Integrated Catchment Management which demands a holistic and multi- disciplinary efforts by stakeholders and a firm commitment by the government to enhance the sustainable use of resources.

55 A sustainablydeveloped and managed natural resources, will balance production and protection,enhance diversity and will leave an enhanced heritage for Fiji s future generations. THANK YOU