Pac Travel
Footprints In The Sand
Where Tourism And Conservation Meet
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| At the far end of the Yasawa Islands, Nacula has pristine beaches and crystal waters. |
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The area is famous as the home of the Blue Lagoon, the setting where the 1980 movie of the same name starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, was filmed. Sadly, heavy tourist traffic to the lagoon has degraded its coral reefs, and while tours are still conducted to the bay, visitors are discouraged from leaving the boat. Lying at the furthest point of the Yasawa group of islands, Nacula’s far-flung location ensures it offers stunning coral reefs in pristine waters, and an authentic experience of local culture.
But today, islanders face the challenge of diversifying the tourist experience without further damaging the environment.
At Oarsman’s Bay Lodge, daily snorkeling and diving tours only take in locations that can sustain tourism, and the visits to breathtaking island caves are also strictly controlled.
A guided village tour gives fascinating insights into the island’s tribal and colonial history and its present environmental status. Visitors can take in the high chief’s bure where important community decisions are made, meet the 160 students and eight teachers at the school, and the Protestant, Catholic and Methodist churches—a highlight during Sunday choir. Ratu Epeli Vuetibau Bogileka is the Tui Drola, the high chief of the Nacula Tikina, seven villages around the Lodge, and as such, is responsible for the economic and environmental livelihood of over 300 people who live there.
“We are aware that tourism leaves a footprint on our island, it contaminates our environment and the marine life,” Ratu Epeli says.
While monitoring what tourism does occur and where, the village also tries to offset the effects of the tourism footprint. Villagers on the island not directly employed at the lodge are engaged in conservation projects like tree planting and marine conservation. After a visit by non-government organization Conservation Coral Cays, the chief was advised that the ballooning octopus population is threatening other species on the reef.“By sending the women out to collect the octopus, that’s another way the village community can get directly involved,” Ratu Epeli says.
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The village collaborates with Conservation Coral Cays to run a conservation programme at Ratu Meli Memorial School. Year 7 students learn about coral reef food chains, the importance of coral reefs, potential threats, best fishing practice and littering of the marine environment.“It’s about protecting this environment, for this generation and the next,” Ratu Epeli says.
Conservation of the island’s exotic jungle is also on the agenda, with the chief actively discouraging unauthorized harvesting.
The people of Nacula village recently celebrated planting their 1,000th tree, in a program where Conservation Coral Cays pays $5 for every tree planted.
The village then re-invests these proceeds into the school, for more education and conservation projects.
“What we get, we give back to the community, mainly to the school,” the chief says. “This way, we educate the students and prepare them for a future that is sustainable.”
Oarsman’s Bay Lodge was winner of the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2006, taking out the category of budget accommodation; other islands. Ratu Epeli was a joint recipient of the “visionary award.”
Ratu Epeli’s vision, and Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is seen as a model for tourism development by indigenous communities throughout Fiji.
