BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Representatives of 16 sub-tribes of Bubutasi and Penguniu of East Guadalcanal province collectively referred to as “Bubupengu”, have recently engaged in efforts to trace their family lineage.

Coordinator Mr Cyril Kulisuia said a family tree has been developed exclusively for the 16 sub-tribes residing within the two land boundaries.

“The Bubutasi and Penguniu Tribal Land Conservation is now progressing to the stage of Land Use Planning. Once this phase is completed, we will be prepared to officially declare our land and our tribe, as we are the legitimate owners of these two resource-rich lands,” he said.

“Thanks to all our hard-working chiefs, community elders, women and youths for making this important step of the plans possible and come to reality,” said Mr Kulisuia.

He said that the Bubupengu has a few attraction sites in the Conservation Area, where eco-tourism is their major development plan.

“We already had a retreat house known as Kopiu Bay Retreat House to provide accommodations for visitors,” he said.

He said that the Bubupengu Tribal Land Conservation Association, over the past months have met with Dr. Morgan Wairiu and the World-Wide Fund (WWF) Conservation Manager, Mr. Hendry Kaniki, with some information on the pathway to assist the Bubupengu Tribal Land Conservation Association in their future development.

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