TWO turtle conservation groups in the country have received support from the government this week.
Marau Community Nesting Beach Conservation from Guadalcanal province and Haevo-Kulona Foundation Conservation from Isabel on Tuesday received sets of stationeries and field –monitoring equipment from the environment and conservation Division in Honiara.
The handing over was conducted by the director of the Environment and Conservation Division Joe Horokou.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony held at the division’s office at Vavaya Ridge Mr Horokou said, he was pleased to hand over the set of materials and equipments to the two turtle conservation and eco-tourism groups.
“My division has been working together with your communities under the Turtle Conservation and Eco-tourism Development Project since 2013.”
And through the project they were able to do the handing over yesterday.
The project which is being funded by New Zealand department of conservation and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme to help the two local Turtle Conservation and Eco-tourism groups in the country.
Mr Horokou said, the set of stationeries is for the community awareness programs in their communities and schools.
The field-monitoring equipments included raincoats, gum boots, measuring tapes, and torches to assist the community to monitor turtle.
The division also provide a minimal financial package to cover cost for community consultations, completion of rangers’ stations, awareness programs and data collecting activities for three years, he added.
“My division will continue to work together through the project with the aim to contribute to the sustainable livelihood development in the context of the eco-tourism development and most importantly to protect endangered and threatened species like turtles,” he said.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI
