Ownership and sharing of returns from the forest has to be sorted out with our local Board in Fiji before REDD comes in

Both sides of the argument presented here are valid and can be the type of impact of REDD on my community in the tiny island of Fulaga in the Lau Group, Fiji Islands.

Having an International body visit and focus on the Forest will help change the views of the islanders that Forests have international importance. No matter how often one of us lets the relatives know that the rate of cutting down trees and which trees need to be cut and when are critical, the ingrained view that Forests are there for the taking and trees will replenish its own stock as it has been the trend in our lifetimes.

The matter of ownership and sharing of returns from the forest has to be sorted out with our local Native Land Trust Board in Fiji before REDD comes in.

The awareness on the importance of Forests and the critical role they play in sustaining life and the climate of the land and oceans will be the great benefit from REDD brought in through established forums and NOT by individual landowners out to make a quick buck and to keep the proceeds from community-owned resources all to themselves. The RED FLAG goes up for this group!

Leba Ciriyawa Halofaki-Mataitini
Fulaga, Lau Group, Fiji Islands.