Press Release No. : 25/2020
Date : 23 October 2020

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) handed over a cheque of $10,000 to the Ministry of Waterways and Environment yesterday to fund projects relating to climate change.

Minister for Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, while receiving the cheque, thanked the RBF Governor Mr. Ariff Ali and noted that the funds will be used to build a nature based eco-seawall in Sigatoka.

“We are addressing climate change issues with nature-based solutions. The Ministry is moving away from concrete engineered structures to a hybrid structure, a combination of ecosystem elements and engineering interventions,” Dr. Reddy said.

“The wall is made up of boulders with mangroves planted in front of the wall and vetiver grass planted behind the wall to provide extra protection with their ability to absorb and contain tidal flows. It is much cheaper when compared to the traditional cement seawall.”

The Ministry of Waterways and Environment has also identified 50 sites where a nature based approach using vetiver technology will be undertaken to address riverbank erosion and protect rivers.