Yesterday, close to 100 landowners from across Viti Levu participated in a consultation held at the Suva Civic Centre to discuss proposed changes to Fiji’s mahogany legislation.

The event, led by the Ministry of Forestry in collaboration with legal consultants Siwatibau & Sloan, is part of an ongoing review of the Mahogany Industry Development Act and its associated regulations. The consultation provided an opportunity for landowners from eight mahogany plantation stations to voice their concerns and contribute to the development of a more inclusive and sustainable forestry framework.

Earlier in the week, partner Mr. Atu Siwatibau led similar discussions with landowners from six mahogany plantation stations in Vanua Levu.

In attendance at the Suva consultation were Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, and the Ministry of Forestry’s Acting Deputy Conservator for Research and Development, Mr. Alivereti Naikatini.

Participants were encouraged to provide open and honest feedback, contributing to what officials described as a productive and collaborative consultation process. The review aims to improve sustainable forest management practices while ensuring greater equity and transparency within the mahogany sector.