Remnants from the Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) PTE Limited development on Wacia on Malolo Island is a constant reminder of environmental developments gone wrong.
About 8000 mangroves were removed during the illegal development carried out by Freesoul between June 8, 2017, and December 6, 2018.
Freesoul was fined $1 million by the High Court in Suva in April this year for the illegal and extensive damage done to the Wacia foreshore.
Many organisations and environmental experts declined to comment when asked on the impact the development has on human rights, with an organisation saying it was a sensitive issue.
An environmental expert, who spoke on the condition of not being identified, said mangroves played a vital role in the ecosystem, such as allocating more carbon below ground.
Mangroves also have higher below- to above-ground carbon mass ratios than terrestrial trees, the expert said.
Wacia Island
Wacia is located about 10 minute’s boat ride from Solevu Village, where landowners of the developed land reside.
Freesoul had plans to construct 350 overwater bures and a casino on the site.
The development was halted in December 2018, following a stop order issued by the High Court in Lautoka.
While it may have brought about work opportunities for locals, the devastating intrusion has affected mangroves, its marine life and the livelihoods of nearby villages who depend on its food source.
Sustainable Development
Anne Moorhead, a freelance writer, and editor specialising in sustainable development focusing on the Pacific says Fiji and tourism are inseparable.
Her DevPolicy Blog page titled, ‘A greener future for tourism in Fiji?’ states: “Rebuilding the tourism industry should include a renewed drive to restore and protect the nation’s natural environment and facilitate its sustainable management by its community owners.
Ms Moorhead had recently returned to Fiji after being away for two years. She said the loss of native trees had a knock-on effect for entire ecosystems, affecting native species from insects to birds and bats (the only native mammals here).
Ms Moorhead said she was a panellist during a webinar titled, “Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective”.
Duavata is an association of small tourism businesses built on and united by respect for Fiji’s environment and cultural heritage.
“Inviting Duavata to the table indicates a recognition of the important role that environmental and socio-cultural dimensions play in distinguishing Fiji from its competitors in the international tourism marketplace.”
Fiji needs to learn from the illegal development on Malolo Island.
Any future investment needs to undergo a thorough process before approval for a lease or environmental impact assessment is granted.
The landmark ruling on the excessive environmental damage done on Malolo should raise red flags on investors wishing to lease land for commercial development. Because at the end of the day, it is the locals who suffer, and the future generation who bear the full brunt.
This story was produced with the support of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.
