I-tokani nei Sisi (Sisi Initiative Site Support Group)
Fiji’s Sisi Initiative manages natural resources around the periphery of the Natewa Tunuloa Important Bird Area. The organization has established a 600-hectare community protected forest and developed alternative livelihood options for the area’s indigenous landowners. Developed in response to illegal logging, forest fires, overgrazing, agricultural encroachment and invasive alien species, the organization uses an innovative incentive scheme to protect the globally important bird and wildlife species in Natewa Tunuloa.
Communities sign a Memorandum of Understanding in which they agree to protect the community forest and refuse logging concessions. In return, the initiative provides alternative livelihood training and projects in beekeeping, poultry, handicraft and jewelry-making, bakery and pastry-making, and sustainable agricultural. The group’s model farm and tree nursery also help to reduce deforestation. The initiative has been used as a learning model for community-based conservation and forest management across Fiji.
Key Facts
Equator Prize Winner: 2012
Founded: 2005
Location: Island of Vanua Levu in Fiji’s Northern Division
Beneficiaries: Traditional clans (mataqalis) of Natewa
Biodiversity: Natewa Tunuloa Important Bird Area (IBA)
Case Study
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Equator Prize 2012
Asia And The Pacific
Biodiversity Conservation
Sustainable Forestry
Ecoagriculture and Food Security
Contact Information
Silio Lalaqila
Sisi Initiative Site Support Group, Fiji
+679 8293022
lalaqilas@gmail.com
Miliana Ravuso
Birdlife International
Suva, Fiji
miliana.ravuso@birdlife.org
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