The Nakauvadra and Nakorotubu Ranges, stretching across northern Viti Levu, are home to some of Fiji’s last cloud forests and over 520 unique species. But a century of land clearing, fires, and logging has left parts of these ranges bare and vulnerable. The sites near Nanukuloa and Nayaulevu Villages were cleared for grazing over 100 years ago, then left unused. With forests gone, flash floods and soil erosion have increased, threatening water sources and livelihoods downstream.
This project builds on more than a decade of local and national efforts to bring forests back to Ra Province. It’s part of a growing movement in Fiji to support biodiversity, protect cultural heritage, and restore land for future generations.
Reforestation will follow a direct planting method led by the Nanukuloa and Nayaulevu communities, supported by CI and the Fiji Ministry of Forestry. Local nurseries will raise seedlings from native tree species, with planting timed to align with Fiji’s main reforestation season (October to April). The plan includes a mix of canopy and understory species, replicating natural forest layers for long-term regeneration.
Community members will manage both sites from seed collection to monitoring, with technical training and oversight from CI. This approach not only restores forests but builds local skills and long-term capacity for stewardship. The work will also expand on previous restoration in the region, strengthening ecological corridors and linking fragmented forest patches.
Reforesting the Nakauvadra and Nakorotubu Ranges supports rare wildlife and protects vital ecosystem services. These areas are home to threatened birds like the Fiji long-legged warbler and endemic insects found nowhere else on Earth. Restoration will help these species recover by expanding habitat and reconnecting forested areas.
The trees will also play a key role in stabilising soil, reducing erosion, and improving freshwater retention. This helps protect local watersheds including the Wainibuka River, a critical water source that flows into Fiji’s largest river system. Every tree planted supports climate resilience, both locally and globally.
This project is more than reforestation. It is a community-led revival of land, knowledge, and opportunity. Local villagers in both Nanukuloa and Nayaulevu will earn income for their work restoring the forests and receive training in nursery management, seed propagation, and ecological monitoring. These skills support long-term employment and position the villages within Fiji’s emerging restoration economy.
Restored forests will reduce flood risk, protect freshwater sources, and safeguard agricultural land. Just as importantly, the project honours ancestral connections to the land, supporting cultural renewal and resilience. By embedding traditional governance in its design, the project reinforces the leadership of local clans and creates a model that other communities can follow.
