Author: P. J. Bellingham

Publisher:

Published: 1998*

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13:

This Management Plan has been prepared at the request of the Government of Tonga. 'Eua National Park (449 ha) is Tonga's first national park, gazetted in 1992, and is located in a rugged coastal area of the island of 'Eua. The park is intended to preserve one of the largest remaining areas of Tonga's rain forests. The Management Plan sets the basis for protection and development of the park for future generations of Tongans. The plan advocates rules and projects designed to ensure sustainable development, including tourism, compatible with primary goal of protecting the park, and covers the first five years of management. The plan was developed in collaboration with two lead agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources. Extensive consultation with Tongan Government ministries, the private sector, and local communities on 'Eua was undertaken. A structure is recommended for management of the national park consisting of a joint committee involving the two lead agencies, and a Park Management Committee that includes other relevant agencies and local representatives. The overall approach of the plan involves managing: 'Eua National Park pricipally as a nature reserve; adjacent Government and forest lads as a multiple-use beffer zone for the Park; the adjacent 'Eua Forest Farm as a multiple-use forest, within the buffer zone; Areas of high ecological, environmental, scientific, cultural and aesthetic values as special protection sites. The key issues to be resolved through management actions are: clarification of roles of Government agencies and strengthening their capabilities; resolution of land use conflicts, especially in relation to the buffer zone; Safeguarding the natural values of the national park and buffer zone; Orderly development of recreation and tourism. The plan proposes a range of actions with supporting projects to resolve these issues and to achieve sustainable park development. Projects have been designed to enable the international donor community and other agencies to contribute to the park's development and protection.