BY LESLEY FOINAGWA
Ward 28 Representative Julia Agofi in West Kwaio, Malaita province has called on communities, especially young people, to take greater responsibility in protecting forests and natural resources, highlighting their vital role in sustaining livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.
Speaking from her experiences within Ward 28, Agofi reflected on how their ancestors lived in harmony with nature, carefully using forest resources while ensuring they were preserved for future generations. She said this traditional mindset has been passed down over time, but is now under threat due to outside influences and unsustainable practices.
“When foreigners came to our land, we began to lose sight of the true beauty and value of our forests,” Agofi said. “Forests provide for us—food, shelter, and income—but we must harvest them responsibly, not destroy them.”
She emphasized that in the past, communities only harvested forest resources when necessary and did so with care, avoiding overexploitation. Agofi urged parents and leaders to teach children the importance of protecting the environment, especially forests and coastal ecosystems like mangroves.
Drawing from biblical teachings, she referenced the Book of Genesis, which calls on people to care for God’s creation. “We are stewards of what God has given us. We must respect and protect it,” she said.
Agofi also acknowledged the role of World Vision in raising awareness about environmental conservation in the community. She said the organization has helped people better understand the importance of both inland forests and coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, and how communities are connected to them.
“World Vision has opened our eyes, especially for our children, to understand how important forests are in our daily lives,” she added.
However, Agofi raised concerns about the impacts of past logging activities in Ward 28, noting that significant damage has already been done. She stressed that forests take many years to regenerate, with some trees requiring decades—or even centuries—to fully mature.
“It takes a very long time for trees to grow. We must think carefully before cutting them down,” she said.
Agofi also encouraged sustainable practices such as replanting trees, suggesting that for every tree cut down, more should be planted to restore the environment. She described this as both a moral and social responsibility.
In her message to students, Agofi encouraged them to become future advocates for environmental protection and to use their education to promote sustainable development.
“Forests are now in your hands,” she told students. “One day, you will lead the way in protecting our environment and celebrating events like World Forest Day in our communities.”
She concluded by urging unity and responsibility among community members, stressing that protecting forests today is essential for the survival and wellbeing of future generations.
“If we destroy our forests, we cannot easily replace them,” Agofi said. “It is our duty to teach our children to respect nature and care for the resources that God has given us.”
