A mataqali of 295 members in Namosi has turned to youth-driven development to unlock the economic potential of its land, culminating in the opening of the Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park tomorrow.
Speaking to fijivillage News ahead of the official opening, Namara Unique Investment board member Josefa Tauleka says the project has been largely built on the efforts of around 30 to 40 youths from the mataqali, and led much of the physical work required to establish the park.
Insert: Youths built the park Jan 08
Tauleka says the project is the result of a three-year journey focused on strengthening governance and long-term planning.
He says since 2023, the mataqali has completed its Deed of Trust, registered Namara Unique Investment as its company, and partnered with the Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA).
He says through VITA, the group engaged with the iTaukei Trust Fund Board and Maximise Consultancy, which facilitated a two-day training programme in Namosi.
This resulted in the development of a strategic plan and business plan outlining ecotourism, water bottling and future participation in the voluntary carbon market.
These plans were later presented to the Ministries of Tourism and Forestry, with the Ministry of Forestry giving approval for the development of what was initially a forest park before it was reclassified as a bamboo park.
He says the seven-week park development was funded by the Government through the Ministry of Forestry and is intended to form the foundation of a larger ecotourism project.
Tauleka says development has remained central throughout the process.
Local youths have taken part in Ministry of Forestry training programmes, including tour guiding, first aid, and a “training of trainers” initiative focused on the uses of bamboo.
He says the bamboo training, supported through collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy and the Ministry of Forestry, opens up further income opportunities for young people through bamboo-based products such as weaving and mats.
He adds that the project aligns with national development goals aimed at enabling landowners to gain maximum benefit from their resources, while raising living standards and alleviating poverty in rural communities.
He shared that the journey began after the mataqali attended a symposium organised by the First Nation Fiji Resource Foundation in April 2023, which highlighted opportunities for landowners to better utilise their natural resources.
Since then, support has grown at national level, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka launching the group’s strategic and business plans in November last year.
The Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park will be officially opened tomorrow at 9.55am by the Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainavalu.
Tauleka says the public is invited to visit the site on Friday morning to view the park and experience the mountain hiking route.
The Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park is about 1.5km away from Namosi Village and about an hour drive from the Queens Highway.
He says entrance fees for local visitors and tourists are currently being finalised and will be announced tomorrow, alongside online promotion of the park.
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