Loru Forest – Vanuatu
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About the project
The Loru Forest project (also known as Ser-Thiac) generates income for the Serakar Clan, the traditional custodians of this important section of remnant rainforest on eastern Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.
The Loru Forest project is an award-winning initiative that protects the coastal rainforest from degradation and deforestation, amidst a growing trend of land diversion for non-forest purposes in Vanuatu. The project addresses the major issue of slash-and-burn conversions to coconut plantations and cattle ranches that are seen across the country, alongside land clearing for crops, and logging.
In addition to climate mitigation, the project supports community enterprises such as a tree nursery and training in nut processing that provides a long-term incentive to continue sustainable practices. One of the most important benefits is the rise in income that is helping local children to become enrolled in schools. The project also protects the habitat of native plants and animals, including priority species such as endemic birds, crabs, and flying foxes.
All the women in our community — we call all the women Mamas — they benefit from the protected area as well because they’ve been cutting merremia [an invasive species] in the protected area. This gives some money from carbon credits to the women in Khole community.
More projects
Find out more about other projects in the region or projects that use similar interventions.
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Drawa Rainforest – Fiji
Supporting the Fijian clans in protecting their rainforests, providing greater resilience against climate change.
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Babatana Rainforest – Solomon Islands
Providing alternative income sources to unsustainable industries such as mining and supporting the Sirebe tribe to protect their culturally significant and biodiverse rainforest.
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Rarakau – New Zealand
Enabling the indigenous Māori to maintain the forest for conservation and cultural purposes through New Zealand’s first rainforest carbon project.