Twenty-one members of the Mataqali Namara, traditional landowners of the Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park in Navunibau village, Namosi province, proudly received First Aid Certificates during a ceremony celebrating the park’s official opening. This event underscores the community’s integral role in managing and preserving this ecologically significant site.
The Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park represents a key initiative of the Ministry of Forestry, aimed at safeguarding natural resources while fostering eco-tourism as a pathway for sustainable development. The park not only generates income but also serves to educate visitors on the importance of nature conservation.
During the ceremony, Alitia Bainivalu, the Minister for Fisheries and Forests, highlighted that this initiative is intended to preserve the natural landscape, enhance local livelihoods, promote environmental responsibility, and stimulate economic growth.
To ensure visitor safety, the park’s tour guides underwent a thorough two-day First Aid training provided by St John Ambulance. The certificates obtained from this training remain valid for three years, equipping the guides with essential emergency response skills to handle any medical situations that could arise during tours.
Bainivalu urged the Mataqali Namara to nurture the park with the care and dedication one would give a cherished seed, emphasizing the importance of ensuring its growth into a thriving entity that provides prosperity and safeguards for generations to come. The successful inauguration of Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park not only demonstrates a commitment to conservation but also showcases the empowering potential of sustainable tourism for local communities.