Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Areas (PTFPA)Rangers Issued ID Cards

The Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) of the Solomon Islands has officially appointed 11 rangers from the Pamaghi Tribal Forest Protected Area (PTFPA) and issued them ranger IDs, marking a significant step in local conservation efforts.

The issuance of these IDs was facilitated by the ECD through its project partner, the Ecological Solutions Foundation (ESF), and witnessed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Integrated Forest Management Project (FAO IFMP). This initiative aims to complete the process of authorizing and recognizing the rangers to carry out their duties within the recently established protected area, ensuring effective management and protection.

ECD Director Joseph Hurutarau, while presenting the IDs to the PTFPA rangers, stated that this signifies their identity and crucial role as rangers, empowering them to manage the protected area under the Protected Areas Regulations 2012. He emphasized that the rangers will receive training to understand their powers, effectively perform law enforcement duties, and support the management committee in managing the national protected area according to section 66 of the Protected Areas Regulations, underscoring the importance of capacity building.

Ms. Henslin Pweta Boseto of the Ecological Solutions Foundation expressed her gratitude to the rangers and commended them for dedicating their time to undertaking this responsibility for the community. She further encouraged other communities in the Solomon Islands to take similar action, seeking alternative solutions for protecting and preserving natural resources, as these resources are the foundation for future survival, highlighting the importance of community involvement in conservation.

The Ministry of Environment will continue to fulfill its role in supporting communities and resource owners interested in protecting their land under the Protected Areas Act 2010. The Pamaghi Tribal Forest Protected Area is among the first protected areas recently declared in Makira-Ulawa Province. The Ministry anticipates working closely with all partners, including the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the Solomon Islands Rangers Association, and other law enforcement agencies, to conduct training and support these rangers in managing resources within the protected area, showcasing a collaborative approach to environmental stewardship.