THE United States-funded Winrock SCALE-NRM (Natural Resources Management) Program in Malaita Province is facilitating crucial Carbon Trading Projects for the people of the Langalanga Lagoon in Aoke-Langalanga Constituency.
At the same time consultations for a similar project for 26 interested tribes of Bina in West Kwaio Constituency has just been completed.
The facilitation of these projects come as SCALE-NRM prepares to conclude its five-year operational term in Malaita in May 2025.
The people of the Langalanga Lagoon have reached a consensus to conserve their mangroves (blue carbon) for carbon trade at a consultation and awareness program held at Lalana Island on Tuesday 3rd September.
They have accordingly agreed to organize their people under a governing body called the Kwalimaurina Conservation Group and register this group to Nakau Programme, an organization that supports people across the Pacific region to develop community-owned carbon trading projects.
The Nakau Programme registration process involves 12 stages and three field work steps before a registered group can benefit from its carbon trading initiative and these three field work steps are:
- Boundary survey;
- Biodiversity- Understanding the natural ecosystem within the boundaries; and
- Inventory- Measuring the volume of trees on how much carbon they can take in.
Boundary and biodiversity surveys have already been completed for the Langalanga Lagoon communities and this means it has only the third or final step remaining.
So far, four tribes in Malaita – Fouabu of East Kwara’ae, Hanosasu of East Kwaio, Rafea of East Kwara’ae and Saefanoa of East Kwaio – have registered their groups with the Nakau programme for Carbon Trade with the assistance of the Batairalo Nature and Natural Solutions Trust, while Winrock SCALE-NRM assisted them with the fieldwork.
Speaking at the consultation and awareness program at Lalana Island, Malaita Premier Elijah Asilaua highlighted the importance of inclusivity of women and children to ensure gender-equality to drive positive change.
Premier Asilaua said, an inclusivity approach will support local communities in their commitments to sustainable management of their natural resources so that everyone will receive equal benefits from and in turn protect the marine and forest ecosystems for the current and future generations.
He said, the conservation program will have rippling economic effects on recipient communities through market-oriented training and empowerment initiatives that will ensure all livelihood products are utilized in sustainable markets with economic resilience, better cash flow and self-employment.
Premier Asilaua said these sustainable development programs will create opportunities for carbon trading programs and technology with development partners and investors through Nakau programme by leveraging carbon commercial values with economic indicators to benefit communities with sustainable developments that is environmentally-friendly and sustains rural economic wellbeing.
Winrock Chief of Party, John Dorr in his remarks at the awareness program said the people of the United States and people of Malaita have been friends for decades and on that note reaffirmed the commitment of the American people to the welfare of Malaitans.
“Americans and the people of Malaita have been friends for decades. Long, long time, you know the history. And I come here bringing you greetings from the American people and their promise that they will do what they can to help the welfare of your communities, your children and your future.”
The ceremony was marked with cultural performances by the people of the Langalanga Lagoon communities.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Auki
