Dr Nishikawa Shares Experience Under Sustainable Forest Resource Management Project In Solomon Islands

by Dr Tatsuji Nishikawa
JICA, Sustainable Forest Resource Management Advisor of Ministry of Forestry & Research

Time flies, so as age; we all grow older as years passes by. For Dr Nishikawa Tatsuji age is not a matter of concern, it is the valuable experiences he gets hands on that matters, – giving out invaluable knowledge and taking in the Solomons way of experiences.

Of these experiences, the word “san” a Japanese dialect to show respect and humility towards someone is one such bridges that encourages give and take, and has become the common word in conversation exchanges, and a household theme for the Sustainable Forest Resource Management Project office family.

Deeper into this kind gesture, is the cooperation forged for years in partnership between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with the Ministry of Forestry and Research.

Beyond this, Solomon Islanders get to feel JICA’s SFRM Project impact as well – through the provision of lucas sawmills since its inception some nine (9) years ago. Though time maybe short, Dr Nishikawa has his own tale to tell. 

Scrolling down the lane when he first set foot, he could vividly recall the initial start.

But what stood out was his overwhelming dedication and the drive to see everything small and big achieved.

Let us hear from what he has to share from the many fond memories from his lenses. Soon I will be leaving the Solomon Islands and returning to Japan. I sincerely thank you for your cooperation with me and the JICA, Sustainable Forest Resource Management Project over these past two years. And I apologize for not being able to meet and say goodbye verbally, but I would be delighted to you my sincerely message below.

Shortly after my arrival in the Solomon Islands, the Japanese Government had provided 67 Lucas Mills to the Ministry of Forestry & Research. These machines were purchased with Japanese taxpayers’ hard-earned money and are intended to support the Solomon Islands’ economic development and forest conservation. 

Why? Because the Japanese people truly wish for our brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands to be happy.

While it would have been easy for the Japanese Government to simply gave money to Solomon Islanders to achieve happiness, the provision of benefits without labor is risked spoiling our brothers & sisters and potentially leaving future generations with the heavy burden of forest environmental destruction like a clear cutting. In such cases, Solomon Islands & Japan cooperative activities themselves become unsustainable for our brothers & sisters future.

Therefore, the officers of Ministry of Forest & Research and I have worked tirelessly to discuss you how to earn a living using the Lucas Mills without damaging the forest environment. Like these Japanese Government and JICA activities might be continue in the future. Actually, in the forestry sector of JICA would plan to begin lending out the other Lucas Mills and launching new technical cooperation project.

As you know, JICA staffs, volunteers and experts have desperately been worked alongside Solomon Islanders on sharing the same perspective, fully committed to supporting nation developing in the Solomon Islands, and you would even have JICA personnel working in your community. And this good relationship between Japan and the Solomon Islands has endured for a long time.

Therefore, a bond has been forged where, when hungry, Japanese and Solomon Islanders can share a few foods. Furthermore, on forest field, Solomon Islanders and Japanese have strictly been avoided actions that deprive people of their lives or assets, such as despotism or hegemonism, instead we dedicatedly have been add value to the blessings of natural resources to produce Solomon Islands forestry and agroforestry products in harmony with the natural environment.

Japanese Government and JICA would like to remain alongside the Solomon Islands.

For the development of the Solomon Islands, and should continue to work hand in hand with the Solomon Islanders. Once again, thank you very much for your support over the past two years. I look forward to meeting you again somewhere.

Sincerely yours and God bless you. – MoFR Press