BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Yato Conservation Project in the East Makira region of Makira Ulawa Province is set to be launched in March this year.
This milestone event will mark the official recognition of the project after it was declared a protected area by the Solomon Islands Government under the Protected Areas Act of 2010 in November 2025.
Premier Stanley Siapu of Makira Ulawa Province spoke to this paper about the upcoming launch, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the communities, tribes, national government, and partners who have contributed to this significant achievement.
He said the Yato Conservation Project encompasses the largest protected area in the Solomon Islands, spanning 12,000 hectares of primary, pristine rainforest.
Premier Siapu said this marks the third conservation area to be declared under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in the province, joining two other projects in Ward 10 of Bauro region and Ward 19 of Rawa region.
In a statement that published this achievement, it says Yato is home to a rich array of biodiversity, including numerous species of plants and animals’ endemic to Makira. The area also contains culturally significant sites, such as tabu (sacred) locations and caves.
The primary goal of the Yato Conservation Program is to preserve Makira’s unique natural ecosystems, prevent destructive commercial logging and mining, and provide sustainable benefits to the local Yato communities.
An integral part of the project includes the development of a forest carbon trading program, offering an alternative income source for local communities, which reduces the reliance on logging.
Premier Siapu said the program aligns with his government’s policy to advocate for sustainable management of the province’s natural resources.
His government has consistently opposed logging in the province, and this achievement is a testament to their efforts.
The launch was scheduled to coincide with the MUP provincial assembly meeting, ensuring that all provincial Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) can participate in the historic event.
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