rinesh ram government of fiji country report on water resource management for responding to climate...

Government of Fiji Country Paper on Water ResourceManagement and Response to Climate Change

Country Paper of Fiji Islands – Water Resource Management for Responding to Climate Change Training Course, Daejeon & Seongnam – Korea August 19 – September 4 2010Prepared by Rinesh Ram, Technical Assistant, Land & Water Resource Management Division, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiji Islands 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Republic of Fiji Islands…………………………………………………………………………………………41.11 Background1.12 Climate 1.13 Climate Change

1.2 Land and Water Resource Management Division…………………………………………………………6

2.0 STATUS OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND CHALLENGES AHEAD IN THE COUNTRY

2.1 Water Resource Management……………………………………………………………………………………..7 2.2 Fiji Water Policy2.21 Recent Initiatives2.22 Background and Scope of Policy2.3 Status of Water management…………………………………………………………………………………………….7

2.31 Land & Water Resource Management Division2.32 Integrated Water Resource Management Pilot Project in Fiji2.33 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Program for IWRM

2.131 Water & Nature Initiative (WANI) strengthens Water Management in Fiji 2.132 Fijian communities discuss future water resource

2.34 Water Authority of Fiji2.141 Capacity Building for Water Resource Management2.142 Current capacity of Water Supply in Fiji2.143 Division of Hydrology

2.35 Fiji Electricity Authority Operations

2.151 Water Management2.4 Challenges for Water Resource Management……………………………………………………………..12

2.41 Surface and Ground Water Management2.42 Land and Water Resource Management Division 2.43 Integrated Water Resource Management 2.44 In General

3.0 PLANS FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROMOTIONOF GREEN GROWTH IN THE COUNTRY

3.1 Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Practices………………………………………………….13 3.12 Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Pilot Project

3.121 PACC Pilot Demonstration Areas 3.13 Integrated Water Resource Management Pilot Project3.14 LWRM Division Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Practices

3.141 Vatuwaqa River Alignment3.142 Kiuva Village, Ra Villages, Ovalau Island3.143 University of the South Pacific (USP) Climate Change Adaptation Projects: Navukailagi Village (Gau Island), Buretu Village, and korotasere Village

3.15 Fiji Electricity Authority - Progress on Renewable Energy Projects3.151 Monasavu & Wailoa Basin Hydropower 3.152 The Nadarivatu Renewable Energy Hydropower Project

3.153 Wind farm (Butoni-Sigatoka)


3.16 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)3.161 Biofuel3.162 Niu Industries (Fiji) Ltd Biofuel 3.163 Solar Photovoltaic Technologies

3.2 Green Growth Promotion in the Country…………………………………………………………………..163.22 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

Mangrove Ecosystems for Climate change Adaptation and Livelihoods (MESCAL) Project

3.23 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate prep Building Mangrove Resilience3.24 Ministry of Fisheries and Forests Plant a Million Trees3.25 Local Mangrove Initiative

3.251 Fiji Bans Cutting Of Mangrove Forests3.252 Adopt a Mangrove Program3.253 Island Mangrove Climate Change Adaptation Project

4.0 CURRENT HOT ISSUES REGARDING WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTRY

4.1 Capacity Building Required for Mainstreaming Adaptation into Development………….18 Planning 4.2 Water Supply and Quality Demand4.3 Natural Disasters ………………………………………………………………………………………….………….194.4 Land Use4.5 Technical Capacity

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..21

REFERENCES

ANNEX


1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Republic of Fiji Islands

The Fiji Islands is a small island developing state (SIDS) with a population of close to a million people and islocated about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The country is composed of 332 islands,many of which are large and have high elevation. Most of the population however live near the coastmaking sea-level rise, due to climate change, an important risk. In addition, the Fijian economy is heavilydependent on the sugar and tourism industries, both of which are susceptible to climate change. Adaptation planning is underway in Fiji, but few projects have reached the implementation phase. (SIDS,2009)

1.11 Background (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

The Fiji Islands are located just west of the 180° Meridian (the International Date Line) consisting of 332islands, of which one-third are inhabited, spreading over the Southwest Pacific Region. It lies betweenlongitudes 1750 East and 1780 West and South latitudes 150 and 220, made up of two major islands – VitiLevu and Vanua Levu, with land areas of 10,429 and 5,556 square km2 respectively (i.e. it takes 87% of totalland area). Other main islands are Taveuni (470 km2), Kadavu (411 km2), Gau (140 km2), and Koro (104km2). The total land area of Fiji Islands is 18,272 km2. The Republic includes the Island of Rotuma (43 km2),located 650 kilometres north-northwest of Suva. Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers about 1.3million km2 (Fig. 1).

The large Islands of Fiji are of volcanic origin, making the terrain primarily mountainous. The highest pointon the main island reaches 1,324 m (4,344 ft). The high islands have distinct wet and dry regions due to theprevailing wind pattern. Fiji also contains numerous small volcanic islands, low-lying atolls and elevatedreefs. All of the islands together have 1,129 km (702 miles) of coastline.

Fig. 1: Fiji Islands (K.Win, June-July 2009) Fig. 2: Fiji Islands Location (Maps, 2006)

Of the total land area, only 16% is arable and mostly located along the coastal plains, which has high risk ofclimate vulnerability due to changes in weather pattern and sea level rise.

Fiji has the experience of droughts as the national disaster generally occurs in five-year cycles. The 1998and 2003 drought significantly affected the Western and Northern Division. It caused damage to sugarcane,other crops, and livestock production at the cost of millions of dollars. Cost of distribution of domesticwater to the affected areas incurred over millions in 1998. Together with food security and the productionsector, the drought also affected hydropower production severely.

The country’s economic base until recently had been from the natural resources, mainly agriculture,fisheries and forests. Over the last two decades, there has been a decline from 22% to 11% of thecontribution of agriculture to the national GDP, although its contribution to share over 50% of the


employment opportunities has continued. It is to be noted that the disaster damage costs in the agriculturesector from year 2007 to 2010 are increasing annually, as per statistics: i.e FJD $5.5 million in 2007, FJD$25.1 milion in 2008, FJD $32.8 million in 2009, and FJD $49.07 million in the first half of the year 2010.

Climate Change and sea level rise has now become a major threat to the survival of humankind and theecosystem for island nations in the Pacific, and Fiji is no exception. It is therefore necessary to take stock ofnatural resources now than ever, and develop strategic approaches in managing the same in a sustainablemanner.

1.12 Climate (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

The climate of Fiji is generally categorized as an oceanic tropical climate which is largely influenced by the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) associated with high rainfall, which fluctuates northeast andsouthwest of the Fiji Islands. The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon influences thepositioning of the SPCZ relative to Fiji. During the dry season, October to March, the SPCZ tends to beposition more to the northeast of Fiji. In the rainy season, November to April, the SPCZ tends to be locatedover Fiji. In addition to these seasonal variations, there is also a high degree of inter-annual variability inrainfall, strongly influenced by ENSO and SPCZ fluctuations.

Another important influence on rainfall is the southeasterly trade wind, which carries moist air onto theislands. The mountains of these high islands have strong influence on the distribution of rainfall. On VitiLevu and Vanua Levu, the southeastern regions, windward side, experience high and intense rainfall withthe western regions or leeward sides of the mountains being much drier on average. The annual rainfall inthe east of Viti Levu, where Suva is located, ranges from 3,000 mm to 5,000 mm. While in the west of VitiLevu, in locations of Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, and Sigatoka, annual rainfall ranges from 2000 mm to 3000 mm.

Impact of destructive tropical cyclones and depressions, which tend to track from north and west, on Fiji isoften severe. Fiji lies in an area normally traversed by tropical cyclones mostly during the November-Aprilwet/cyclone season. Cyclones bring about flooding and multiple landslips, which have major impacts onthe economy and infrastructure, and many adverse effects for the people of Fiji. Even though western VitiLevu is drier on average, it can experience periods of torrential rainfall and associated flooding duringstorm events over short periods (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010).

Based on an analysis of observed data for high and low rainfall extremes and potentially damaging winds,annual extremes have increased in recent decades in both frequency and magnitude in Fiji. This gives riseto a significant reduction in return periods of extreme daily rainfall events while return periods for hourlyrainfall events have increased in recent decades in Fiji. Extremes in annual rainfall are associated withSouthern-Oscillation Index (SOI) with drought conditions occurring when the SOI is strongly negative (ElNino) while annual rainfall is significantly higher when the SOI is strongly positive (La Nina)(REPORTOFIN-COUNTRYCONSULTATIONS, June 29 2009).

Droughts in Fiji are strongly associated with negative phase of the SOI or with El Nino conditions. Themaximum wind gusts associated with cyclones occurring in Fiji area show large interannual variabilityalthough previous 40–year records show a 14% increase in maximum wind gusts. The number andproportion of tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific Ocean reaching categories 4 and 5 has increasedover the past 35 years so has the observed increase in sea surface temperatures.

Projections of systematic changes in the average climate show significant increases in the frequency ofextreme high sea levels, temperatures and winds are highly likely in the Fiji area in the coming decades. Forinstance, sea level projected to increase by 11cm by 2025; 23cm by 2050; 36cm by 2075 and 51cm by 2100while annual rainfall is likely to change by 0.4% by 2025, 0.6% by 2050, 1.3% by 2075, and 1.6% by 2100.Maximum wind gusts are likely to change by 3.4% by 2025, 6.8% by 2050, 10.8% by 2075, and 13.4% by 2100and temperatures expected to increase by 0.3 o C by 2025, 0.7 o C by 2050, 1.1 o C by 2075, and 1.4 o C by 2100in Fiji (REPORTOFIN-COUNTRYCONSULTATIONS, June 29 2009).


1.13 Climate change (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

Fiji, as one of the small island developing countries, is more vulnerable with and adversely affected by naturaldisasters, which are nowdays intensifying and are more destructive due to climate change and globalwarming. Fiji has been experiencing more flash floods, cyclones, cycles of drought, sea level rise, and also withfrequent tsunami alerts in the region over the past two to three decades. As a result, three key areas (1) foodproduction and food security, (2) coastal zone, and (3) water sectors are obviously affected due to climatechange. Fiji has therefore, activily participated and are ratified in international and regional conventionsrelated to Climate Change other Environmental issues.

1.2 Land and Water Resource Management Division (LWRM) (Vakadravuyaca, April 2008)

The Land and Water Resource Management Division, under the Ministry of Primary Industries, is tasked tolook after the management of the countries natural resources such as land and water to providesustainable agricultural development. The Ministry plays a vital role in the Fiji economy, providing criticaland reciprocal linkages with all other sectors of the economy and accounts for 50 percent of the totalformal employment. It is committed to stimulate growth, guarantee food security, and improve the livingstandard of all people.

Land and Water Resource Management Division Organizational Chart

Fig. 3 LWRM Organizational Chart

The Land and Water Resource Management Division operates principle links with policy goals and strategiesset out in the Ministry’s Strategic Development Plan. It intends to strategize policies that will ensure soundmanagement programs to enhance sustainable watershed development for food security and improving theliving standard of all the people, and include flood protection works.

In order to ensure its conclusiveness, the Division consults other Divisions and stakeholders to include newareas of works, which will broaden the area of its operations. This will also see reorganization of the Division’sfunctional role in the proper perspective to enable it to provide effective services.

To warrant that it makes constructive progress in the key areas, it has identified the crucial activities thatneed attention and redress. These include watershed management, water resource development, riverengineering, coastal engineering, land drainage and research, and development on irrigation. Theimplementation of the Division’s plan will be determined by polices of the government and the needs of itsclients. What it achieves in this period would enable it to consolidate the vision of the Division in years tocome.


Ministry Of Primary Industries

Department Of Agriculture

Land & Water Resource Management Division

River Engineering

DepartmentDrainage & Irrigation

Department

Central DivisionWestern Division Northern Division

Suva / Nausori / NavuaLautoka / Ba Labasa

2.0 Status Of Water Management And Challenges Ahead In The Country

2.1 Water resources managementThere is no actively developed water resources management (WRM) or IWRM function in the government administration of Fiji. However, there are two agencies with some assigned responsibility. A de facto water management responsibility has been assigned to the Mineral Resources Department (MRD), as the agency with expertise in groundwater, which also heads the national water committee and was responsible for developing the national water policy draft document for government’s consideration in 2005. Mineral Resource Department, however, does not have resources to devote to water management and therefore its role is minimal (Facility, 2007).

The Land & Water Resource Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has been assigned the overall management of Fiji's land and water resources in an environmentally sustainable manner although it does not have the legislation to undertake that function. Its activities in surface water are more extensivein scope than any other agency. Land management is a focus of the Ministry, which has the catchment management functions (Facility, 2007).

2.2 Fiji Water Policy

2.21 Recent Initiatives

The government has made a number of IWRM related initiatives in the past five years. They are: Creation of the National Water Committee, a coordinating committee of officials to meet

under the chairing of the Mineral Resource Department. Development of a draft national water policy, which has been accepted subject to

consultation, which has not yet taken place. Commitments to consider new water resources legislation and national coordinating

arrangements (as stated in the draft policy which reflects earlier cabinet decisions).

2.22 Background and Scope of Policy (FijiIslands, 2009)

This policy has been developed in recognition of the increasing threats and competing demands for the water resources of the Fiji Islands. Fiji has participated in international and regional discussions about water resources and recognizes that water management is important for the social wellbeing of its people, its economic development and the continuing quality of the environment. This policy covers all freshwater resources of Fiji, both surface water and groundwater, and acknowledges that freshwater can affect the quality of coastal and marine waters. The policy states goals and principles to guide water management in Fiji, and it identifies the most important elements of water reform to be considered in the next two years.

2.3 Status of Water Management

According to World Bank, Fiji has one of the highest per capita fresh water resources in the East Asia andPacific. However, these water resources are not evenly distributed; they are not equally plentiful in allplaces, and the water equally is not available at all times. Above all Fiji is an archipelago; hence, managingwater is a major challenge itself (KUMAR, 2010).

Suface water is used as the main source of water supply for all major towns on the larger, high islands ofFiji, as well as for industry and irrigation. Some small, low-lying islands rely exculsively on groundwaterand may or may not use rainwater. Rain water harvesting is widespread in Fiji, but improvements arerequired to sustain supply during droughts (Consultants, 2007).


2.31 Land and Water Resource Management Division (LWRM)

The role of the division is to provide engineering services in Land and Water Resources Management toEnhance Sustainable Agricultural Development and Food Security. Key functions of providingengineering services are:

Efficient and effective drainage works for the improvement of agricultural land Irrigation infrastructure development to increase crop yield and enhance food security Disaster mitigation activities to reduce vulnerability and risk of flooding Water resource development for sustainable crop production and drought mitigation

The latter proceed by implementing various activities in projects with particular relation to Drainage &Irrigation, Watershed management, River Engineering, and Dredging.

Current projects draw attention to the last phase of Nadi River Dredging and the commencement of RewaRiver Dredging. In addition, the completion of Namulomulo Dam constructed on Namosi River; as anincorporated Watershed Management/flood mitigation measure for the Nadi (western) and Rewa(central) Basin. Moreover, accomplishment of dredging works for Malau Jetty (northern) to clear sedimentaccumulation on the jetty seabed proximity to allow safe passage of vessels. Long term plan for flood mitigationprogramme for the Central and Western Division include Wainibokasi and Navua River Dredging, DeubaRiver channel improvement, and channel re-alignment and river training works for Nadi River.

Further proposed are bypass channels for flood mitigation purposes for Ba (western) and Labasa(northern) Rivers, in addition to consultancy for Vatuwaqa (central) River realignment in the CentralDivision. Completion of Narewa Village (western) bank protection work marked the beginning ofNawaqarua Bank Protection Project, in Ba, with similar in design stage for Nailaga in Ba also. Scheduledcoastal village seawall protection work is now in planning stage for villages in Kuiva, Rakiraki area, andthe eastern coastline of Ovalau Island in the central division. Similar investigations in scattered sectors ofthe country regarding coastal protection, rural land development, marine infrastructure rehabilitation, andsand/gravel extraction, have been common to previous years.

As part of watershed management/flood mitigation, after the completion of Nawaka Secondary Dam in2007 in Nadi, engineering investigation and design on proposals in Nadi and Ba River Basin (western), forimplementation of 17 small retention dams and reservoirs, has been scheduled for the next 7 years. Inrelation, advancement is towards a water storage pond to control the floodwater of Elevuka creek duringthe peak flood flows to avoid flooding in the Ba Town.

Coastal and riverbank protection works are to-date sustained for the diminution of soil erosion and landreclamation to enhance development. Engineering small dams simultaneously with Irrigation andDrainage Schemes for promoting growth in Agricultural Production remains one of the most importantroles of the Land and Water Resource Management Division. Recently completed Nawaka and Tunaliairrigation projects (western) are products of such development.

The Environment and Water Resources Unit correlate significantly to programs executed by LWRM. Theunit is responsible for screening, scoping, and drafting preliminary terms of reference for EnvironmentalImpact Assessments related to dredging for the scrutiny and approval of the Department of Environmentin addition to liaison with community and government stakeholders. Likewise, the Unit performs quarterlywater quality monitoring around the country to ensure the consistency of the environment before,during, and after project implementation, additionally for water quality assessments for irrigation anddrainage schemes.

The recent inclusion of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Pilot Project, for low-lying areas inRewa and Serua (Navua) province (central), in the Divisions intent is another step towards achieving FoodSecurity while addressing adaptation to climate change. In addition, Land and Water ResourceManagement Division continues to demonstrate their commitment to the Integrated Water ResourceManagement (IWRM) Pilot Project for the Nadi basin. Even though LWRM is the executing agency for


these two projects, implementation is in alliance with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the SouthPacific Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC).

As recently established, the IWRM approach to Environmental Management is gradually weaving throughthe national hierarchy towards institutional sectors and communities.

2.32 Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Pilot Project in Fiji

Implementation of the Integrated Water Resource Management Pilot Project began in 2009 to bringtogether different sectors and stakeholders to plan and manage water resources together. The programeased the formation of the Nadi Basin Catchment Committee for progress towards the mitigation of floodimpacts, investigation of flooding causes, and flood cost reduction methods. The project will run for fiveyears and will be managed by a Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager.

Flooding and improper land use practices, leading to significant levels of soil erosion, are major concernsfor the Nadi Basin. In light of such, components of the IWRM project address the latter as the priorityobjective. IWRM components include:

1. Rainfall Stations – the establishment of hydro-meteorological networks to develop betterprediction tools of when and where an intense rain flood will occur.

2. Runoff – the analysis of rainfall and surface runoff to develop rainfall-runoff model to giveprediction of the main flood flow contributing areas in the catchment.

3. River network and flood plains – analysis of a range of natural and human influenced factors thataffect or control the ability of the channel and flood plains to convey flood flows.

4. River water health – different flood management measures have varying impacts on the ecosystemsand at the same time changes in the ecosystem have consequential impacts on the flood situationand river behaviour.

5. Coastal health – coastal waters are heavily impacted by flood generated sediments withimplications for the ecosystems, coastal biodiversity and the tourism industry.

6. Integrated Basin Flood Management Plan – guide feature catchment management in relation torisks associated with flooding, urban and rural, including agricultural development and planning.

The first phase of the project has commenced with the installation of water level recorders and rainfall gauges in progress at strategic locations within Nadi Basin.

With wide national and local support for the bottom to top IWRM approach, acceptable decision makingprocesses are hoped to be achieved taking into account the range of views of stakeholders, the needs of theenvironment, and available information to pave the way for the best possible solution towards watershedmanagement.

2.33 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Program for IWRM (IUCN, 2010)

2.331 WANI strengthens Water Management in Fiji

Many Pacific Islands are experiencing increasing pressures on water resources due to growing populations,infrastructure development, and climatic fluctuations. IUCN, member and partner organisations arestrengthening forces to support Integrated Water Resource Management in the Oceania region. Theinitiative started in the Pacific in 2008 with the establishment and initial development of the Water andnature Initiative (WANI) projects in Kadavu and the Nadi Basin in Fiji.

IUCN aims to support the management of Fiji’s water resources and watershed ecosystem services,currently in decline due to land use changes, altered river flow patterns and degraded ecosystem services.The effects of climate change through altered rainfall regimes compound these problems. Watermanagement in Fiji, including tourism and forestry projects, has generally followed a “top-down” approach.


WANI’s Kadavu and Nadi watershed projects aim to demonstrate a watershed management model basedupon participatory community approaches, sound economic valuation, and ecosystem managementbenefitting biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on them.

For the Nadi project, WANI-1 helped establish the Nadi Basin Catchment Committee to provide appropriatestakeholder engagement in the development of a Flood Risk Management Plan and complements theRegional GEF Pacific IWRM's Nadi Catchment Project. Through these river catchment committees, allstakeholders can be represented in the decision-making processes, strengthening the resilience of theirwatersheds and its services. In Kadavu, three Locally Managed Marine Area Networks (LMMA) sitesprovided the location for work to begin on up scaling of the participatory model to include ridge-to-reefmanagement. This bottom-up model will provide a cost-effective and integrated sustainable water resourcemanagement approach that will be transferable to other sites in Fiji and elsewhere in the Pacific.

2.332 Fijian communities discuss future water resource

The project plan for WANI-2 in Kadavu focuses on building on the achievements of the project’s first phaseby demonstrating practical approaches and restoration of the watershed catchment. The first phase aimedat improving people’s security and their livelihoods, enhanced through the sustainable management oftheir water resources. A major objective for WANI phase 2 is leadership and learning principles onsustainable management and poverty alleviation, promoted through targeted capacity development,outreach and network facilitation.

The Kadavu WANI-2 workshop has facilitated understanding and interaction for local village members,both in terms of environmental issues as well as policy proceedings. Local communities are now planningthe implementation, monitoring and adapting management plans towards the preservation of theirwatershed resources, including marine and terrestrial ecosystems. WANI-2 is an 18-month projectportfolio on watershed management in the Pacific region. Other project locations include the Nadi RiverCatchment Basin.

IUCN's Water and Nature Initiative in Oceania, works in partnership with the University of the South Pacific(USP), Samoa Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Fiji Land and Water ResourcesManagement Division (LWRM), and the Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission(SOPAC) (IUCN, 2010).

2.34 Water Authority of Fiji (WAF)

2.341 Capacity Building for Water Resource Management (Commission, 2010)

The Water Authority of Fiji officials received training on the use of the Water Quality Monitoring (WQM)database on the 15th July 2010 as part of their capacity-building program facilitated by the Pacific IslandsApplied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The database, largelyintended to store drinking water quality data, is capable of handling environmental data as well. The WaterAuthority of Fiji had requested support from SOPAC and WHO for improving their water quality datamanagement as a step towards enhanced water resource management.

2.342 Current capacity of Water Supply in Fiji (KUMAR, 2010)

Currently the Water Authority of Fiji operates and maintains 32 public water supply systems nationwide.The supply system is divided into two major categories, the city & town regional water supply, that consistsof 13 subsystems and the minor public system consisting of 19 subsystems. The whole water supply systemof Fiji consists of 15 water treatment plants, 110 service reservoirs, and over 2200 km of undergroundwater reticulation pipelines .The sizes of these pipelines range from 50 mm to 900 mm nominal diameter,and serves 43% of urban and 51% of rural population.

Nadi is the tourist town of Fiji that has many hotels and international resort chains. It is probable thatdevelopments in and around this area will grow at a significant pace. Currently the major water source tothese areas is Vaturu Dam, in the interior of Fiji that was constructed in 1982. According to the waterexperts, water resource is not seen as a limiting factor but it may be, if not managed and protected


from contamination. Most of the distribution systems in the towns and cities are designed handle 150litres of water per day per capita however most residents exceed this capacity, and on an average, mayconsume from 200 litres up to 500 litres per day per capita.

As a result, the Water Authority has put an Emergency Program in place to fix the water problems in theSuva and Lami area, which may reach completion by late 2010. These are short term solutions, while thelong term solution will involve laying a new increased capacity pipeline from Tamavua to Lami.Construction is to commence in the last quarter of 2010, after finalization of engineering designs andprocedures. Upgrading works to water supply systems in Rewa, Labasa, Lautoka, Ba, Nadi, Tavua and otherrural areas are also expected to commence soon (TemoL, 2010).

2.343 Division of Hydrology (kumar, 2010)

While the Water Authority works towards regulating adequate water supply for the population, HydrologyUnit objectives revolve within hydrological monitoring. The Unit has an office in each division i.e. Central,Western and Northern. The Hydrology Unit relies largely on its Data Base for all its projects andundertakings. The data collected fall in range of surface water i.e. stream discharges, rate, volume, damcapacity, and rainfall.

In its capacity, the Hydrology Unit provides the Water Authority with the technical information and data toupgrade its supply facilities, rationing of supply, intake capacity and duration etc. The Unit also taps somenew or proposed sources that may generate a promising volume of water for future extraction or may beresorted to during an emergency. The status of all water-intakes, sources or head-works together with itsnetwork of pipes leading up to the treatment plants, nation-wide, are monitored by the Hydrology Unit.Blockages, threat of any kind, leakages, etc will be immediately detected, inspected, and reported to theconcerned section heads for rectification.

The Pacific HYCOS (HYdrological Cycle Observing System) a sub-body World HYCOS, in association withthe World Meteorological Organisation, has implemented the Flood Early Warning System (F.E.W.S.) in thetwo of the major river systems in Fiji (Viti Levu). Preferably the Rewa and Navua catchments wereconsidered for this project and interestingly the entire network of stations and data exchange is already inplace and is functional. The software Model will be the final task that is going to be installed soon (lateAugust – 2010) by the project undertakers, the NIWA (National Institute for Water and Atmosphere) ofNew Zealand. The Hydrology Unit is fully responsible for the maintaining and operating the system andprepare flood forecast reports during periods of onsets etc.

Similarly, there are three other projects being implemented for Nadi, Ba and Labasa (Nakorotari) rivercatchments co-ordinated by various undertakers as I.W.R.M (Integrated Water Resource Management) andJICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency) etc. The Nadi river project is already underway byHydrology West Office.

2.35 Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) Operations (FEA, 2009)

2.351 Water Management

The storage level of the Monasavu lake at the beginning of 2009 was at a critical level of 723 metres abovemean sea level (AMSL), which was just eight metres above the minimum safe operating level of 715 metres.Heavy rainfall and flooding in January 2009 helped to increase the storage level by 19.2 metres to 742.2metres AMSL, just 2.8 metres below the maximum storage level. Below-average rainfall from February toNovember 2009, (except for July and September), caused the water level at Monasavu to fall to a criticallow level of just above 720 metres AMSL, and FEA was compelled to reduce the level of hydro generationfrom Wailoa and replace it with more expensive thermal fuel. FEA had no other option but also to informits customers of a potential power shortage situation. FEA’s request for its customers to minimize thepower consumption, combined with initiatives taken by large customers to run their own diesel generatorsets until the situation improves, helped to avoid power shortages in 2009.


Heavy rainfall during Cyclone Mick in mid December 2009 helped increase the storage level to 732 metresAMSL at the end of the year. Total rainfall in 2009 was 5,328 mm due to floods in January and Cyclone Mickin December, compared with 5,320 mm in 2008. The lowest ever rainfall recorded is 3,540 mm in 2004.

Wailoa power station generated 436 Giga Watt-hours (GWh) in 2009 and Wainikasou power station,situated upstream of the Monasavu dam, generated 16 GWh.

The average generation mix for 2009 was 58 per cent hydro, 25 per cent diesel, 14 percent heavyfuel oil, 1 per cent wind with the other 2 per cent provided by the Independent Power Producers(IPPs), Tropik Woods and Fiji Sugar Corporation. In comparison, 62.1 per cent was generated fromhydro in 2008, 21.2 per cent from diesel, 12.6 per cent heavy fuel oil, 0.6 per cent from wind withthe other 3.5 per cent from Tropik Woods and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FEA, 2009

2.4 Challenges for Water Resource Management

2.41 Surface and Ground Water Management (SOPAC, November 2007)

Fiji has numerous small islands, some of which are low in elevation and are inhabited. Surface wateravailability is a problem in some islands, which rely exclusively on groundwater and may or may notattempt to use rainwater. Rainwater harvesting using roof systems is widespread in Fiji but the psychologyof rural people may fail to take into account the possibility of extreme climate events and drought whenthere is relatively abundant water for most of the time (for instance providing small capacity storageinstead of larger capacity).

Some conflicts have occurred over surface water availability. In particular, there are conflicts betweenwater for irrigation and water for other purposes in one or two cases.

Groundwater occurs on both the large islands and small low-lying islands, but the groundwater issues andchallenges in these different physical environments differ. Significant groundwater deposits, such as theNadi Valley coastal aquifer, on the large islands are available and are under pressure for development.

Groundwater resources on small islands play a very different role. There are cases in Fiji of islands withsuperficial groundwater lenses in sand beds or coral formations, which lie on marine water and can bereadily exhausted. The fragility of superficial groundwater lenses means that they need carefullymanagement.

2.42 Land and Water Resource Management Division (K.Win, June-July 2009)(Samoa workshop2009)

The LWRM Division has yearly implemented land drainage and flood protection activities for agriculturallands using Government Capital funds. However, due to climate change effects, including tropical cyclonesand flash floods, the annual damage costs in different sectors appear at alarming levels (Refer to chart 1 inAnnex).

Financial: annual budget is limited and only sufficient for the normal maintenance program. Funds areessential for review, research, and development of technical inputs for future implementation.Additional funds are required for the introduction of infrastructure, to meet the requirements forpresent and future Climate Change Adaptation effects.

Technical: limited skilled technical and professional staffs. Inadequate transfer of knowledge on theproper review, analysis on the design criteria, adequacy & serviceability of existing infrastructures andrevision of engineering design criteria, norm/standard, specification, practice, technology & etc, tomeet the requirement in climate change adaptation for now and in future.

Training and Awareness: lack of engineering infrastructure development guidelines incorporatedwith Climate Change aspects and operational manual to educate technical staffs and farmers.

Community empowerment and support Institutional Strengthening Research Capabilities Enabling Environment


Updated technology/engineering, appropriate design/technique, construction practice & etc. (Samoaworkshop2009)

2.43 Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) (SOPAC, November 2007)

Information is an important key to effective water management because the availability, behavior, impacts,and quality of water needs to be understood. The flow in surface water bodies is subject to climatic factorssuch as rainfall, together with geology, vegetation and the impacts of development.

Short term and long term patterns of flow in rivers need to be understood and modeled, to identify whatchanges will occur if, for example, a dam is constructed or water is diverted. Similarly, groundwateroccurrence and behavior needs to be recognized. There is also a critical need for data on the quality ofwater. Data on water quality is scattered and collected for health reasons, mainly included in discretereports, but not put into a database.

Fiji requires a comprehensive data collection responsibility in the areas of: Surface water data (stream/river flow) Groundwater data Water quality monitoring

An agency should be accountable for ensuring that the data is collected, that the data is useful for IWRMpurposes and other long term purposes, and that it is available and conforms to data standards. It would belogical for an agency with water management responsibility to be responsible for surface water data andgroundwater data, while the Department of Environment was responsible for water quality andenvironmental data. Ideally, there should be database linking at some time, for the evaluation of dataquantity and quality, together in a meaningful way. (SOPAC, November 2007)

2.44 In general (KUMAR, 2010)

Challenges in the water management in Fiji Increasing pressure on the water resources due to upgrading and expansion of water sewerage systems

around the country Growing industrial, agricultural, energy, mining, commercial, and residential developments that

demand more water Increasing threats to water quality due to increased urbanization, intensified agriculture, forestry and

exploitation of natural resources, and improper waste disposal

3.0 PLANS FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROMOTIONOF GREEN GROWTH IN THE COUNTRY

3.1 Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Practices (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

The Climate Change Policy framework aims to promote understanding of and to formulate appropriateresponses to climate change by mainstreaming climate change concerns/ issues in all environmental,social and economic processes including enactment and amending of current legislations. Climate Changeprojects are being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Forestry – thePacific German Regional Forestry Project (SPC/GTZ Climate Change adaptation strategic plans on landbased natural resources)

3.12 Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Pilot Project (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Pilot Project, adopted in 2010, brings high expectation inthe area of coastal land development with integrated concepts that promote minimizing climate changeimpacts if not eliminating them. The PACC Project focuses on the reviewing of existing agriculturaldrainage design criteria for sugarcane/rice and non-sugar crops farming area to adapt to the recentClimate Change trend in low-lying and tidal areas.


It will assess on the capability and adaptation level of the existing drainage infrastructure to the recent andfuture flood/rainfall intensity. Application of appropriate drainage structural enhancements andadaptation measures will reflect the outcome of the study in the demonstration areas and replicated inother sectors, as seen appropriate.

3.121 PACC Pilot Demonstration Areas (Samoa workshop2009)

Low-lying areas in Tailevu province, Rewa and Serua (Navua) province are selected as pilot demonstrationareas of the PACC project. All those areas are in the flat terrain and deltaic areas, normally threatened by the frequent flood and the salt-water intrusion due to the Climate Change effect. As areas are fertile and arable lands provided with drainage facilities, it is an important national asset for food security through the agriculture development.

3.13 Integrated Water Resource Management IWRM) Pilot Project (K.Win, 8-11 June 2010)

The Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Project is related to and will contribute to the adaptation of Climate Change by improving the planning and practice of land use, flood protection, effective control and use of floodwater for agriculture, water supply, and eco-tourism as a whole. The IWRM project, executed in Nadi, is also one of the regional projects funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) is the coordinating agency of the project while the Land and Water Resource Management Division is the lead agency in implementing this project in Fiji Islands.

3.14 Land and Water Resource Management Division (LWRM) Climate Change Adaptation Measures and Practices

3.141 Vatuwaqa River Re-alignment

Flooding of the Wailia Settlement, adjacent to Vatuwaqa River in Suva, was a matter brought forward by the Department of Lands, which was a seemingly consistent result of moderate to heavy rainfall. After consultation with Land and Water Resource Management Division, proposal for re-alignment of Vatuwaqa River presented as a suitable solution to ease the flooding frequency and its impacts.

Proposed work included dredging, land reclamation, and canal lining. Recommendations by Land and Water Resource Management on the technical details of the project include dredging design and specification, land reclamation height above mean sea level with respect to sea level rise prediction for the next 50 years, design and construction specification for canal lining. Even though Land and Water

Resource Management are acting as consultants for this project, funding and implementation willbe by the Department of Lands.

3.142 Coastal Village Protection

Current coastal protection works intended for the central and western division focus on the following low-lying coastal establishments. Kiuva Village (central), Eastern perimeter of Ovalau Island (eastern), andVillages in Rakiraki (western), have endured severe impacts of coastal erosion by wave action in normaland stormy weather conditions, and periodically by inundation. Proposal of constructing seawalls for theseareas to protect against coastal erosion, property damage, and human fatality, are well under way throughthe design stage.

Together with a seawall, three boulder groynes and breakwater/wave breaker have also been included forcoastal protection works at Kiuva Village. Design provisions have considered sea level rise prediction forthe next 50 years to appoint the height of reclaimed ground on the land side above mean sea level, inaddition to a curved wall face for the sea facing side of the seawall to reduce the force of wave impact.

3.143 University of the South Pacific (USP) Climate Change Adaptation Projects

Over the past few years, the Pacific Centre of Environmental & Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) of the University of the South Pacific completed a number of community based Climate Change Adaptation


Projects funded by AusAid in the central and northern division. The following are projects implemented inconjunction with Land and Water Resource Management Division.

Navukailagi Village in Gau Island (eastern), Buretu Village (central), and korotasere Village (northern) had similar coastal protection works established in the form of seawalls, breakwaters/wave breaker, and canal bank protection works. A major focus integrated within the project was to use natural materials as far as possible and mandatory community participation in project work. Constructed coastal protection works were complimented with the establishment of mangrove plants, to develop permanent natural protection and boost the aquatic ecosystem for enhancing marine resources.

3.15 Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) - Progress on Renewable Energy Projects

3.151 Monasavu Dam & Wailoa Basin Hydropower (FEAFiji, 2010)

Monasavu Hydro Project is the existing hydro dam and power station at Wailoa in central Viti Levu with an installed capacity of 80 MW and capable of generating 40 million units per year on average. There is another small hydro power station in Vanua Levu (Wainiqeu) but it is very small, capable of generating only about 2 million units per year. Following increasing demand, Fiji Electricity Authority commissioned few more hydro projects.

In addition to Monasavu Dam, development programs aim to establish the Wailoa Basin Hydropower. The Hydropower Master plan is a project aimed at identifying and maximizing the potential for energy from hydropower projects based on the Wailoa river and its tributaries. Initial assessments on the extent of hydropower potential indicate a possibility of up to 400 GWh of viable hydro energy in the Wailoa Basin. Detailed concept study and analysis will be complete by October 2010.

Monasavu additional energy options have also been proposed to optimize on the existing Monasavu/Wailoa scheme. This includes improving energy production by increasing storage at Wainisavulevu weir, mini hydro station at the Monasavu outfall, maximizing flow in the PP2 and PP3 intakestructures.

3.152 The Nadarivatu Renewable Energy Hydropower Project (Robinson, 2007)

The Nadarivatu Renewable Energy Hydropower Project has been under intensive investigation since 2002.The scheme is located on the upper reaches of the Sigatoka River headwaters at the junction of the Qaliwana and Nukunuku Rivers. The water will pass through the power scheme and discharge into the Ba River. The power scheme has a peak output of 41.7 MW and annual generation of 101 GWh in a normal hydro inflow year, saving thermal fuel costs and foreign currency leakage estimated in excess of F$25 million per year at current oil prices . The design flow is 15m3/s and the maximum gross head is 335.7m. The power scheme will be operated remotely from the National Control Centre. Staff will be available at the Wailoa power station, which is an hour and a half away.

The scheme consists of a concrete weir with a 1,000,000 m3 live storage volume. The structure stands 40mhigh above its foundations and 32m above the present water level. Water will be transported to the power station by a 2km upper tunnel with a surge shaft near the outlet portal. The water will then be conveyed in a 1.4km penstock or a 1.6km high-pressure tunnel to the power station on the Ba River. Power from the scheme will be transmitted at 132kV to a switching station adjacent to the main Vuda-Wailoa 132kV transmission line.

The volume of storage available is not large and represents just 18.7 hours storage at full load. Nevertheless, this is of great use at firming the generation potential from the Nadarivatu Scheme. The storage is used to maximize generation during the weekdays when demand is at its highest and at times of peak load. Construction of the US $150 million Nadarivatu Renewable Hydro Power progressed positively in 2009 with approximately 10 per cent of the construction work completed at the year-end, expected to be fully completed by August 2011.

This project is a major step towards achieving the Authority’s renewable energy target of generating 90% of its energy through renewable resources by 2011.


3.153 Wind farm (Butoni-Sigatoka) (FEAFiji, 2010)

During the fast tracking of renewable capital projects, FEA commissioned the Butoni wind farm. FEA proposed to install 37 Vergnet GEV MP 275 kW turbines along the Butoni ridge line near Sigatoka town to create a 10 MW wind farm anticipated to produce 11.5GWh of electricity a year.

Butoni wind farm performed well in 2009 with a total generation output of 7.2 million units of electricity, resulting in thermal fuel savings of about $2 million and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 4,700 tonnes in 2009 alone. This is the highest ever recorded generation since it was commissioned in June 2007. Statistics for the wind farm, from the commencement of its operations in June 2007, are as follows:

Total Generation output = 14.3 million units of electricity Total diesel fuel cost savings = F$4.4 million Total foreign exchange savings = F$3.5 million Total diesel fuel saved = 2,998 tonnes of diesel

Total emission reduction = 9,345 tonnes of carbon dioxide

Butoni Wind power is one example of that renewable Energy development under taken by the presentmanagement to tackle the fuel crisis in future.

3.16 Clean Development Mechanism

3.161 The biofuel most common Fiji is coconut oil, derived from copra. Coconut oil has been used as analternative to diesel fuel to operate diesel generators at two rural locations. An 80 KVA generator providedelectricity to 198 households in Vanua Balavu, Lau, and a 45 KVA generator was used to electrify 60households in Taveuni. The technology appears to be technically viable but there have been difficultieswith local management for operations and in situ production of oil (Singh, 2009).

3.162 In contrast, Nui Industries (Fiji) Ltd, suppliers of Modular Biodiesel Processor (Mbp), haverecently been incorporated in Fiji in 2009, however possessing over 30 years hands on experience inbiodiesel production and oil seeding. The processor is for in situ oil production (using coconuts), withproven equipment & technology; it was purposely designed for use in islands and villages. The Niu 80 Nex-Gen Biodiesel produced, conforms to ASTM D 975 without esterification, and eliminates cost, logistical andenvironmental problems associated with esterification. Within a short period, demand for the product hasincreased, attracting clients from Fiji and other pacific islands (Noss, 2010).

3.163 Solar Photovoltaic Technologies (Donan, 2010)Solar photovoltaic technologies have for some time been promoted as a cost effective means of rural electrification in Fiji and other Pacific island countries. However, the growth of markets for solar technologies has been slow, due to high upfront costs, a lack of credit in rural areas, and low service standards. The Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) program is the latest attempt to promote solar-based rural electrification in the Fiji Islands, (i) establishing institutional arrangements based on a public- private sector partnership to ensure maintenance is provided, and (ii) removing the high upfront capital costs associated with solar technologies. The program is in part based on the fee for service model used in Kiribati, where a utility provides maintenance to household solar systems for a fee. It moves the responsibility for maintenance provision from Government. The program has to date resulted in the installation of 1040 solar home systems (SHS) in Vanua Levu, and there are now plans to expand the program to other islands of Fiji, based on overwhelming demand among rural households.

3.2 Green Growth Promotion in the Country

3.22 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) aids Pacific Islands to improve on Mangrove Management (IUCN, 2010)


Under the Pacific Mangrove Initiative, the Mangrove Ecosystems for Climate change Adaptation and Livelihoods (MESCAL) Project was developed to address key challenges to mangrove management and conservation. In addition, to threat from overharvesting, degradation and land reclamation; weak governance, disconnection between formal and traditional management systems, limited baseline information, weakening traditional management, lack of awareness and limited capacity are some of the key challenges of mangrove management faced in the Pacific.

Although Fiji has its mangrove management, the project is expected to clearly define how it should protect its mangroves. With adoption of Ecosystem-based Management (EBM) approach, the project focuses on finding stakeholder-based solutions supported by scientific evidence and traditional knowledge to positively influence decision-making at all levels of governance. The MESCAL project aims to assist in climate-proofing coastal communities and sustaining livelihoods by promoting investments in mangrove and associated coastal ecosystems.

Benefits will Increase awareness about environmental, social and economic values of mangroveecosystems for making informed decisions about their appropriate use and management towards developmentof appropriate partnerships across all levels of society to safeguard and sustain Fiji's mangrove

ecosystems in supporting livelihoods and adaptation to climate change. It will strengthen and enable framework conditions, including institutional and social capacity, to encourage joint management of mangrove ecosystems through shared ownership and responsibility between national and sub-national governments, communities and private sector.

Additional advantages are stakeholder-based identification and development of cost effective governance of mangrove ecosystems, organizational arrangements, decision-making processes, mechanisms, and incentives for change that encourages mangrove conservation and restoration, reflecting principles of ecosystem based joint management. Potential for using mangrove ecosystem based carbon credits from conserved and or restored mangrove assessed and feasibility of participation in the REDD related global carbon trading.

The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) under its International Climate Protection Initiative. Those who benefit will include vulnerable coastal communities, traditional/customary decision makers, government level decision-makers, and non-governmental agencies.

3.23 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Building Mangrove Resilience (Cook, 2010)

Building Mangrove Resilience Project, supported by the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Environment Program, aims to address the significant adaptation challenges facing mangrove forest ecosystems. Mangroves, the guardians of tropical coastlines, are among the many ecosystems feared to be lost or negatively affected by climate change impacts unless adaptive management strategies are developed for them.

The project seeks to build the capacity of natural resource managers to (1) assess the vulnerability of mangroves and associated coastal ecosystems to expected climate change impacts, and (2) develop and promote adaptation strategies that respond to these impacts. This effort will run through June 2010 with further activities, now in planning stage, for beyond that date.

Overall, in each project focal area, detailed vulnerability assessments to understand the greatest risks tothe system are in progress. Assessments combine remote sensing, reconstruction of past sea-level trends,site-based monitoring, community-based approaches, and other methods. This information is being used toformulate and test a range of adaptation strategies such as the designation and improved management ofmarine and coastal protected areas, reforestation with “climate-smart” mangrove species, coastal planningthat takes many more factors into consideration, and collaboration with local communities to improvenatural resource use efficiency. Fiji has the third-largest mangrove area in the Pacific Island region. Climatic variation across the largerislands in Fiji influences mangrove distribution and ecology, and different locations are expected to


experience distinct effects of climate change. Project activities are taking place in Verata; Tikina Wai,situated on Viti Levu; and Kubulau on Vanua Levu. The latter two are the largest islands of the Fiji group. InFiji, WWF staffs are working with national stakeholders to mainstream mangrove protection into nationaladaptation planning, and helping communities to monitor local impacts of climate change through a“Climate Witness” program.

3.24 Ministry of Fisheries and Forests Plant a Million Trees Project

The ‘One Million Trees – Our Gift to the Future Generation’ campaign was launched in Suva in March2010 by the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry. The objective of the campaign is to ensure futuregenerations continue to enjoy an economically viable and environmentally sound Fiji while addressing ahost of other issues already influencing national, regional and international levels. These include climatechange, deforestation, soil erosion, carbon emissions, flood mitigation and clean water supply (Information,2010).

This is a very achievable project and we have certainly seen the community helping the government toachieve this One Million-Tree initiative by April 2011. To achieve the target, 83,000 plants and trees haveto be planted per month. Planting trees aim to help Fiji improve the ability to cope with and to respond tovarious environmental challenges such as climate change, sea level rise, coastal and land erosion and theloss of biodiversity (FijiTimes, 2010).

3.25 Local Mangrove Initiatives

3.251 Fiji Bans Cutting Of Mangrove ForestsA ban on the cutting of mangrove trees on the Rewa Delta now exists after reports of people cutting the mangroves for commercial use. The decision comes after the Department of Fisheries and Forestry advised the province about the importance of the mangrove swamps and trees to the food chain and sustenance of marine life. With many cases of unnecessary cutting of mangroves and negative impacts on fish and marine life that depend on it for food, the ban on mangrove cutting in all villages in the province will remain until the Rewa Provincial Council decides to lift the ban. However, villagers have permission to cut mangroves for use as firewood and to build a house. (FijiTimes, 2008).

3.252 Adopt a Mangrove Program

Adopt-a-Mangrove uses the Fijian National Youth Training Centre to plant the mangroves. Since 1992, the National Youth Training Centre has planted more than 80,800 mangroves. Adopt-a-Mangrove works directly with the award-winning Fijian Locally-Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) network to select the best planting sites and active cooperation of the villages. Every $40 donation provides for the planting of 50red mangroves (tiri) and for replanting mangroves that do not survive. Together with natural coastal protection, the planting process also provides employment for village youth in preparing the young mangroves for planting. (Tawamudu, 2007)

3.253 Island Mangrove Climate Change Adaptation Project

Setting up a mangrove nursery was the first phase of establishing mangrove flora on the coastal front of Navukailagi Village, at Gau Island, by the team from Pacific Centre of Environmental & Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) of the University of the South Pacific coordinating the Climate Change Adaptation Project for the location. In addition to engineered methods for the mitigation of coastal erosion and inundation, young mangroves (propagules) were planted to serve as a natural protection to the coastline over time and further enhance the marine ecosystem.

4.0 CURRENT HOT ISSUES REGARDING WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTRY

4.1 Capacity Building Required for Mainstreaming Adaptation into Development Planning (win2010)


Development of National Climate Change Policy

Climate Change Data Bank: Information database at National and Regional Level Remote sensing technology for flood inundation survey

4.2 Water Supply and Quality Demand (KUMAR, 2010)

Increasing pressure on the water resources due to upgrading and expansion of water sewerage systems around the country.

Good information needed to provide understanding among local communities about the danger of over-pumping groundwater reserves. Rainwater harvesting consideration as a necessary adjunct togroundwater use on islands, which have no permanent or significant surface water sources.

Growing industrial, agricultural, energy, mining, commercial, and residential developments that demand more water.

Increasing threats to water quality due to increased urbanization, intensified agriculture, forestry and exploitation of natural resources, and improper waste disposal.

4.3 Climatic and Hydrological Variations (Facility, 2007)

Rising sea levels attributed to global warming (Nations, 2010). The apparent increase in the frequency and severity of coastal flooding on large islands with

consequent loss of life and damage to property, which results from both upland catchment changes(degradation) as well as inappropriate downstream development.

The occurrence of inland flash floods, which have caused loss of life and property. The danger of storm surges and marine-based coastal flooding, leading to erosion, loss of land value

and property damage. Periodic drought resulting from major cyclical climatic developments, primarily El Nino effects,

with the potential for disastrous impacts on domestic water supplies and agriculture in thenorthern and western areas of the two major islands and affecting smaller islands.

4.4 Land Use (Facility, 2007)

Soil erosion resulting from exposure of soil, leading to increased sediment discharges, highturbidity, and color problems, due to extensive or inappropriate clearing of native forest as part oflogging operations or for agriculture; poorly designed or constructed unsealed roads andunplanned development activities and fire used to clear undesired weeds in farming and forestryareas.

The erosional effects of tropical forest clearing for agriculture and urbanization, of roadconstruction and other activities in surface water catchments. Steep island topography, causesfloods, landslides and at times major losses of vegetation and significant soil erosion.

Runoff from agricultural land containing nutrients (from fertilizers) and sometimes toxic agrochemicals (pesticides and herbicides).

4.5 Technical Capacity (Facility, 2007)

Fiji, in common with other Pacific countries, has a problem retaining people with technical and scientific qualifications and experience. Well-qualified people frequently leave the country for greener pastures overseas.

The University of the South Pacific is located in Fiji, so Fiji is better off than some neighboring countries, but obtaining and retaining people with necessary capacity remains a challenge. Some areas in which capacity would be desirable are:

• Hydro-geology – given the number of small island communities relying on shallow groundwater and the need to asses such limited water reserves.• Hydrologic modeling – there is no capacity at present and international consultants are required to undertake assessments and modeling of such.


• Environmental modeling and assessment of ecosystems in the areas of limnology, wetland management, and protection.• Estuarine and coastal zone modeling and assessment – to identify the impacts of freshwater outflows into the marine zone.

Conclusion

The Fiji Government would like to thank the Koica International Cooperation Agency for this invitation to Mr. Rinesh Ram of the Ministry of Primary Industries to participate in the “Water Resource Management for Responding to Climate Change” training program.

The content of this paper reveals the status of water management, climate change adaptation initiatives, challenges of managing water resources, and related projects undertaken in Fiji to attain sustainable development in an integrated fashion.

Expectation of the capacity gained from this training course is to be beneficial to the implementation of land and water resources management objectives and to various communities of the Republic of the Fiji Islands.

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Maps Theodora's Quick Map of South pacific Ocean [Online] // Quick maps of the World. - Photius Coutsoukis andInformation Technology Associates , March 7, 2006. - August 7, 2010. - www.theodora.com/maps/.Nations Encyclopedia of the Fiji - Environment [Online] // Encyclopedia of the Nations. - 2010. - August 11, 2010. -www.nationsencyclopedia.com.Noss Richard MODULAR BIODIESEL PROCESSOR (MBP) [Report]. - Suva : [s.n.], 2010.PacificAdaptationtoClimateChange-FijiIslands REPORT OF IN-COUNTRY CONSULTATIONS [Report]. - 2009.Panapasa Geraldine Fijitimes online [Online] // Students put down roots for environment. - September 27, 2009. -August 11, 2010. - www.fijitimes.com.fj.REPORTOFIN-COUNTRYCONSULTATIONS PACIFIC ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE - Fiji Islands [Report]. - June 292009.Robinson Peter FEA Fiji Nadarivatu Renewable Energy EPC Project - Project Description [Report]. - Suva : FEA Fiji, 2007.SIDS Small Island Developing States Project Republic of the Fiji Islands [Online] // Climate Lab Beta. - 2009. - August 6,2010. - climatelab.org/Republic of the Fiji Islands.Singh Amit Fiji’s Energy Scenario-2009 [Online] // Slideshare. - 2009. - August 11, 2010. - www.slideshare.net.SOPAC National Integrated Water Resource Management Diagnostic Report-Fiji Islands [Report]. - Suva : SOPAC,November 2007.Sun Fiji Fiji Water supports 'plant a million trees' initiative [Report]. - Suva : [s.n.], 2010.Tawamudu Sasalu [Online] // Adopt a mangrove. - 2007. - August 11, 2010. - www.adopt-a-mangrove.org.TemoL 68 Million dollars for Water Authority [Online] // Connectme. - Februrary 2, 2010. - August 9, 2010. -www.connectme.com.fj/news.Vakadravuyaca Taitusi Nacolakia Integrated Catchment Management and Flood Control Plan in Fiji - A Critical Review[Book]. - Suva : [s.n.], April 2008.


ANNEX


rinesh ram government of fiji country report on water resource management for responding to climate...

Engineering

status of water management

water resource management2

fiji water policy2

water resourcemanagement

water authority of fiji2

ground water management2

future water resource2

water nature initiative