THE ANNUAL World Environment Day (WED) will be celebrated again this year 2016 with the theme ‘Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade’ with the key slogan “Go Wild for Life”.
The event will be celebrated along with the World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day with the themes Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet and NoPlace4Plastics respectively.
As part of the celebrations, Solomon Islands Government lead by MECDM and MFMR in collaboration with other key stakeholders, has organised several activities for 8 June, 9 June and 12 June 2016.
Solomon Islands is just a dot in the spectacles of the world map but ecologically it is a store-house to some of the unique and endemic species that exist on the surface of the planet.
Our forests and oceans are part of the most richest and bio-diverse regions of the world.
With ongoing efforts by Government to conduct and/or support targeted biodiversity research out in the Provinces and communities, there is high possibility that more plants and animals are being discovered.
Our rich land and marine biodiversity provides a vital food security for our peoples.
As such, people’s livelihood depends on the conservation, protection and management of our natural resources.
The 2016 WED theme is: ‘Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade’ with the key slogan “Go Wild for Life”.
This year’s theme for WED – Go Wild for Life – encourages us to focus attention and advocate for all those species under threat and take actions to help safeguard them for future generations.
A key concern is for animals or plants that are threatened in local areas – losing wild plants and animals will add to global extinction.
Another challenge globally is the growing illegal trade in wildlife products, eroding our earth’s biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and pushing whole species towards extinction.
Killing and smuggling are undermining economies and ecosystems, fuelling organised crime, feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe.
Wildlife crime endangers even marine sea turtles.
Lesser-known victims include helmeted hornbills as well as wild orchids and timbers like Rosewood.
It is time to turn the tide to ensure more people understand the damage this illicit business is doing to our environment, livelihoods, communities and security.
Solomon Islands is no different!
National efforts should be geared towards ensuring that our communities and people have an opportunity to co-exist with the blessings that nature has provided for us.
Wildlife conservation, protection and management are the main objectives of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998, which is currently under review this year with the view to tabling it in Parliament 2016.
Wildlife trade is regulated under the Act to ensure that targeted plants and animals are not exploited at the risk of its wild population declining in our communities and provinces, oceans, rivers, forests and other important ecosystems.
The table below shows status and trend of wildlife trade in country to date (Source- ECD/MECDM):
| Year- 2013 | Year- 2014 | Year- 2015 | Year – 2016 | |
| Total number of wildlife permits for commercial and scientific purposes granted: | 125 | 132 | 149 | 65
(.. as of May 31st 2016) |
| Total quantity/number (includes specimens, parts, derivatives, whole animals or plants) | 66,280 | 59,263 | Ongoing review | Ongoing review |
Although there are national challenges to enforce these Laws and the need for more attention, this year through inter-agency coordination and support in combating/tackling illegal trade of wild-life, two cases were dealt with, whereby individuals have tried to bypass national laws in attempts to export birds out of the country.
Also, in Temotu Province, fisheries officers working with the Police confiscated turtle shells from a foreigner at Lata airport.
Other cases are currently being investigated and processed that includes intentions by some individuals to capture, illegally harvest or trade birds, dolphins, giant-clams, corals, turtles etc.
The public are encouraged to help protect our wild plants and animals by report any illegal wildlife trade or smuggling of plants and animals out of the country.
This week, MECDM and MFMR will be hosting three events in commemoration.
On 8 June 2016, the public are invite to celebrate the events at the SMI Compound.
Activities include, environment movie show, quiz competitions and information stalls will be available to the public.
This will be an opportunity for the public, schools, other government agencies and stakeholders to join in celebrating and reaffirming our values towards the environment.
This will be a day to get up-to-date information about governments work programmes and national initiatives undertaken in the country.
Discussions will cover some of the key environmental issues facing our natural bio-diversity and most importantly, what we can do to contribute positively towards the well-being of our environment.
Follow-on event will be held on 9 June 2016.
This includes, river clean up at Mataniko covering the river side/banks from Mamana water to Tuvaruhu including the China-town area.
The key message for that day is to promote cleanliness as well as promote the ongoing Mataniko River clean-up campaign and appeal to the general public to stop throwing rubbish into the river that will end up in the ocean and along the beaches and in our reefs.
Waste can negatively impact our fisheries and also cause health problems for our coastal dwellers.
A radio talk-back show is scheduled for 12 June 2016.
A panelist of both MECDM and MFMR officials including other key guest speakers will be available to discuss specific questions by the public.
Our environment is a store house for Solomon Islanders as it provides food, water, income and other necessities we need for daily survival.
Mr Trevor Maeda, a Conservation Officer and Team Leader for the Celebration Events says that “This events will help to build awareness and understanding of the Honiara community at large about the responsibilities of every good citizen and the small steps that we can do to ensure the environment is sustainably managed now and into the future”.
“If you would like to know more about your environment, please come along and meet with our friendly staffs who will be attending these key events to provide answers to your questions,” said Trevor Maeda.
— MECDM PRESS
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