BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ensuring Resilient Ecosystem and Representative Protected Areas (EREPA) recently concluded a three days consultation workshop on the Development of the National Protected Areas Network (N-PAN) Roadmap for Solomon Islands.
The “Ensuring Resilient Ecosystem and Representative Protected Areas” (EREPA) initiative is a project led by the Solomon Islands Government under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).
Speaking during the workshop EREPA Chief Technical Advisor, Dr. Kristina Fidali thanked Senior Provincial Government representatives, Provincial Deputy Premiers from Temotu Malaita, Western, Guadalcanal, Makira and Renbel and other Protected Area leaders from Rennell and Bellona, Choiseul, Makira, Malaita, Western, Isabel, Guadalcanal and Temotu Provinces for availing their time to attend the workshop.
Dr. Kristina encouraged all Provincial government committees to work closely with the local protected area committees so that those that are yet to declare protected areas could do so.
The National Protected Area Network’s (N-PAN) primary goal is to protect Solomon Islands’ biodiversity by creating a national network of connected terrestrial and marine protected areas.
The project involves community-level planning and implementation, working with local leaders, including traditional chiefs and committees, to build buy-in and ensure community livelihoods are considered.
The attendees of the workshop included Deputy Premier from Temotu, and Deputy Provincial Secretaries from Malaita, Western, Renbel and Makira Provinces and Provincial Protected Area representatives, Government ministry representatives, NGOs, CSOs, Development partners and the EREPA team.
EREPA supports the development of sustainable livelihoods, including income-generating activities, for communities within and around protected areas.
By promoting healthy ecosystems and a connected network of protected areas, the project aims to increase the country’s resilience to climate change impacts.
N-PAN is a strategic mechanism that extends beyond biodiversity conservation contributing to cultural and livelihood security, climate change resilience, governance and knowledge sharing, long term financing and meeting international commitments such as the Aichi and post 2020 Global Biodiversity targets.
The recent workshop focused on developing this roadmap to coordinate and strategically connect protected areas across the country.
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