Concern over speed of project’s development

Concern has arisen in Mangaia at the speed at which proposals are being developed to replace pine trees in the Tamarua area with pasture for cattle grazing and allowing ferns to regenerate. The proposals were privately initiated in response to apparent evidence of depletion of soil nutrients and erosion of the reef caused by rising acidity levels due to the pine trees.
The Herald understands the MP for Tamarua, Pukietu Pukietu, recently expressed some concern to government at the speed at which the proposed project was coming together and that only the pine trees in the Tamarua area were being looked at.
However, government has clarified that the proposed project was not initiated by government but the private sector. To date, no formal project proposal setting out the nature and an analysis of the problem, the proposed solution, objectives, costs and outcomes has been submitted for consideration by government.
Government has not been approached for funding.
Government is also concerned that any endorsement for a project, whether it be driven by the private sector or government, first come from the people of Mangaia itself.
The group headed by Mau Wichman-Tou which has engaged the services of soil scientists Dr Yasu Kawabe and his daughter Ottilie Upshall is yet to seek official backing from government of a proposed way forward for agriculture in Mangaia.
The Herald understands that it is still early days and data has yet to be collected and analyzed to determine the best way forward based on scientific data. It is also understood that any project, if it proceeds, will be largely funded privately and managed by forming a private company.
Mike Tavioni who previously worked in Mangaia on the pineapple plantations for the Ministry of Agriculture, believes it may not be necessary to remove all the pine trees. He said the trees serve a purpose and any felled trees should be replaced by trees of value to the economy such as fruit trees. This would generate some income while at the same time ensuring soil erosion was prevented.
Tavioni, who spent some years working at New Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) conducting soil experiments, said a great deal of chemical sprays and fertilizers including DDT were used during his time in Mangaia and these may just now be seeping out into the lagoon. Trees protect and replenish the atmosphere said Tavioni while livestock only created and added to atmospheric problems.
At the time of going to print, Wichman-Tou, Ottilie Upshall and Sam Napa were in Mangaia.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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