A major step toward strengthening natural resource management in the Solomon Islands has begun with the Training of Trainers (TOT) for Forest Rangers of Guadalcanal Province.
Held at the DD Holiday Inn Conference Room in Honiara, the week-long training brings together 25 Head Rangers representing 17 Community-Based Conservation (CBC) areas across the province.
The initiative, led by the Solomon Islands Rangers Association (SIRA) with funding support from the European Forest Institute (EFI), focuses on equipping Rangers with the skills and knowledge needed to implement and disseminate the newly developed Rangers Manual Guide.
Having participated in the pilot phase of the manual, the Guadalcanal Rangers are now the first in the country to receive formal training on its full implementation.
The manual, which will be launched tomorrow, is expected to become a key reference across all provinces, reinforcing community-based conservation efforts and understanding of national natural resource laws.
Rangers’ group discussions during the meeting.
SIRA Technical Consultant Albert Kwatelae said the importance of the role of SIRA is to link resource owners with leading stakeholders such as the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Research, Fisheries, Mines and Energy, and to support resource owners to better understand laws governing the environment, forest and resources.
“So we are building the capacity of these rangers to return to their communities and provide further awareness and training to those who are custodians of resources,” Mr Kwatelae said.
He said, like many other stakeholders, promoting and implementing government policies and regulations, Solomon Islands Rangers Association also supports with promotions and awareness activities in relation to sustainable resource management.
A participant from East Central Guadalcanal and Vata Association representative, Shirley Kaku expressed gratitude to SIRA for the training, adding that resource management is an important aspect for resource owners.
“Resource Management from the perspective of women is crucial. We derive our food and livelihood from our resources; therefore, it is important to understand laws that protect our resources so that we can use them to our advantage in terms of management,” Mrs Kaku said.
Training sessions commenced on Tuesday with six modules on the opening day covering. topics, including Threats to the Biodiversity of the Solomon Islands and the Roles of Rangers, the Protected Areas Act 2010, and Protected Areas Regulations 2012.
Rose Babaua of the Ministry of Environment is talking to the rangers.
Various specialist speakers from the Ministries of Environment, Forest, and Mines are also delivering presentations on several topics relating to their roles and responsibilities.
The program was officially opened on Tuesday this week and ends this Friday.
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