Oil Nuts and Tourism in the Forests of Makira Island, Solomon Islands

by Solomon Islands Development Trust

Partners:

Conservation International (CI) Maruia Society Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT)

Current Accomplishments

Weather Coast: Three Environmental Awareness Workshops were held at Suguasi (Warihito area), Hunama (Highlands) and Marunga (Weather Coast area) to make villagers aware of the environment impact on communities and wise decisions before accepting any large scale development. More than 600 people attended these workshops. More of such will be held within and outside the conservation area in the near future. The Social Survey has now been completed in 30 villages.

North Coast: Beekeeping has proved to be very successful at the north coast site. Three hives were installed at Togori, Tawani, and Tawaitara and were taken care of by the women's groups. The team worked with Forestry Officer Kira Kira to assess the operations. Further management training will be held early in 1997.

Warihito Area: The Ngali nut project is now operating on its own and is being run by the community press workers and guided by the project committee. The project plans to extract 500 liters of oil during this season. A nut buying strategy was drawn and extraction started in June. Up to now they have extracted 368 liters. The remaining liters will be completed and ready for export by the end of this year. Biological monitoring on Canarium indicum trees at Warohinou and Naharahau was also completed. This survey took place in June and July and was conducted by Dr. Julian Ash, BCN staff and SIDT-CID staff. The local communities were trained to carry out the rest of the program. To balance the needs and interest of the stakeholders in the conservation area, Women's Leadership and sewing training workshop was held at Warohinou for all the women's group leaders at both the North Coast and Warihito areas. 18 members representing 9 women's groups attended the workshop.

Highlands: To slow down the highland villages from clearing new forest for garden along the ridges year after year, a Slope Agriculture Land Technic (SALT) system was introduced. Three women from the highlands went for a two week study tour in March to the Vanga Rural Training Centre. The trail program has already started and villagers showed great interest. Three Eco-tourism/Study tour trips were hosted at Hauta conservation area. The first included staff from Komaridi and Arnavon Marine Conservation project in May, the second one was arranged for CI-Lakekamu Basin (PNG) and East New Britain Social Action Committee in June, and the third was for One World Tour, Community Aid Abroad (Australia) in September. Evaluation showed that all three were very successful. The Eco-tourism strategy was also drawn-up for 1997. Two conservation committees were set up at Hauta and Warihito. These committees will be responsible for maintaining the two conservation areas. A workshop was held for the members, but to be more effective in the long run, training is needed.

Successes and Challenges

"OK...So What?"

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