The First Recycling Bins

On Monday the 27th of June, we have installed the first three recycling bins in the 'Utukalongalu market. Karen's staff from dive Vava'u also put up good signs to make them visible. It is going quite well after a short period of time, people have started to use it.

The total cost for the 3 cages was TOP900, they are strong and robust.

There is a big concern about the market area, because there is a more rubbish being thrown around and there is a need to stop people from dropping litter. Hopefully these recycling bins will help us in minimizing the littering and pollution.

If this project is successful, we are planning to buy more bins and place them on more stations in town and other villages.

'I he 'aho Monite 17 'o Sune, na'e fokotu'u ai e ngaahi fuofua lisaikolo pini fo'ou 'e tolu 'i he 'Utukalongalu maketi. Na'e hanga foki 'e he kau ngaue 'a Karen mei he dive Vava'u 'o fokotu'u moha ngaahi faka'ilonga lelei mo mahino ki he mahino'i 'e he kakai, pea 'oku 'i ai foki 'a e fakalakalaka ke kamata ke ngaue'aki 'e he kakai 'a e ngaahi lisaikolo pini ko eni.

Ko e ngaahi lisaikolo pini foki ko eni 'oku fefeka 'aupito mo tolonga 'a ia ko honau mahu'inga na'e fe'unga faka-katoa moe pa'anga 'e 900.

'Oku 'i ai foki 'a e tokanga lahi ki he feitu'u 'Utukalongalu maketi, koe'uhi koe fakaveve noa'ia ko ia 'a e kakai, 'a ia 'oku 'i ai 'a e fiema'u ke ta'ofi kinautolu mei he fakaveve noa'ia. 'Oku 'i ai foki 'a e 'amanaki 'e tokoni lahi 'a e ngaahi lisaikolo pini ko eni ki hono fakasi'isi'i 'a e laku veve noa'ia pea pehe ki hono 'uliki hotau 'atakai.

'I he lava lelei ko ia 'a e poloseki ko 'eni, 'e 'i ai leva mo e ngaahi palani ke toe 'omai mo ha ngaahi lisaikolo pini fo'ou ki he ngaahi feitu'u loto kolo pea pehe foki ki he ngaahi kolo kehe.

Deforestation - Year of the Forests 2011

This morning board member Alaipuke was joined by representatives from Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Forest and Agriculture to talk about the deforestation of Sandalwood (Ahi) trees that has occurred in the last two weeks.

Sandalwood has become in great demand for export recently but the methods to remove the trees from land has created several issues. The biggest one being the removal of a large area of sandalwood trees from Mount Talau which was deemed a National Park in the 1990's. The national park is protected land, and no removal of trees is permitted. There has also been several cases of trees being removed from private properties without consent from the landowner.

Vava'u has great land mass to be able to create agriculture and demand for the export markets, these need to be improved upon and protected from theft, so that communities can gain economic strength in difficult times.

VEPA takes great care to preserve the environment and create advocacy and ownership of the environment to communities. This year, was deemed the Year of the Forests, we hope that our TV show will bring the first part of several stages to bring more awareness about the dangers of deforestation for the environment, food sources and health of communities.

We hope the beginning of many media events to raise awareness on several issues will open up new opportunities for environment discussion and protection.

Malo Puke for your great passion in sharing our message for VEPA.

Eco-Camp

Board members of VEPA are involved in all levels of conservation, education and awareness. On Friday, board members Don, Winnie and Karen as well as Carolyn, hosted talks to youths aged between 11-15 on the environment and how it is involved in their future. Topics covered included mangroves, waste and pollution, soil erosion.

Great work everyone