Delineation of Kitti Watershed Forest Reserve closing ceremony, Pohnpei

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Category: News
Published: Monday, 30 November -0001 00:00
Written by Bill Jaynes
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FSM Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project

 

KITTI, Pohnpei – On Friday, September 4, 2020, a traditional ceremony was held at the WKS Community Center in Enipein Pah, Kitti to celebrate and acknowledge the field team responsible for completing the long-awaited delineation of the Watershed Forest Reserve within the boundaries of Kitti Municipality.

Pohnpei State Public Law No. 1L-128-87, known as Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve and Mangrove Protection Act of 1987, was established to create and provide for the protection and maintenance of an effective watershed forest reserve, to protect important watershed areas, and to provide for the conservation and management of mangrove forests. It also called for a Watershed line to be delineated and demarcated on the ground to protect native forests from human encroachment. This particular law had an initial history of resistance from Pohnpeians, as community involvement in the development of the law was virtually nonexistent in the early years after it was passed, and the proposed rules and regulations failed to recognize traditional Pohnpei resource use and authority. It was met with fierce confrontations between Government officials and local sakau farmers. Many prominent environmental experts and advocates attempted to carry out the provisions of the law but were unsuccessful.

In 2017, the FSM Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project helped revitalize the need to complete the delineation of the Kitti Watershed Forest Reserve. It all began with a small outreach and awareness team that visited communities throughout Kitti Municipality to galvanize support for the work to continue after so many years of dormancy. The community outreach efforts culminated in a decision made by the Kitti Pwihnen Wahu (Council of Traditional Leaders) for the delineation of the watershed. In 2019, the R2R Project contracted CSP to take the lead in facilitating all activities associated with the delineation of the watershed.

Friday, September 4, 2020, brought together all who played key roles in the achievement of such a significant milestone for natural resource management here in Pohnpei State. The next step is to identify and rehabilitate highly degraded areas of the forest.

The R2R Project acknowledges CSP, Kitti Municipal Government, Pohnpei State Government field team members and other partners for their hard work, commitment and continued support.

Stay tuned for our next R2R update!

For more details on the R2R in FSM project, please contact:

Project Manager, Rosalinda Yatilman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel:+691 320-8815

Technical Coordinator, Rachael Nash, nash.fsmr2r@gmailcom, Tel: +691 350-4020

Financial Administrator, Fritzgerald Weilbacher I, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel:+691 320-8815

Kosrae State Coordinator, Marston Luckymis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: +691 370-3646

Pohnpei State Coordinator, Jorg Anson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: +691 320-1780

Chuuk State Coordinator, KriskitinaKanemotoMarar, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: +691 330-6729

Yap State Coordinator, Debra Laan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel:+691 330-2113

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