Last year NES launched a 6-year project entitled Project E.N.U.A (Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project aims to improve the health of our biodiversity and key habitats by reducing environmental impacts cause by unsustainable practices in key development sectors such as infrastructure, tourism and agriculture.
Throughout this first year of the project, the NES Project E.N.U.A team have been diligently laying the foundations to upscale project action in 2024. Initial meetings have been held with many key partners including government agencies and the Pa Enua. Preliminary planning and preparation work has focused on activities that will support Rarotonga catchment areas as well as initiating island environment management plans and strengthening of protected areas management.
The project steering committee met in December 2023 to review and endorse the draft 2024 annual work plan. This maps out key priorities for the coming year with activities planned for both Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, including Atiu, Takutea, Mangaia, Suwarrow and Tongareva. In total, over NZ$1million is planned for expenditure in 2024 towards project activities involving various different partners. This injection of funding will provide significant support to many areas requiring strengthened environmental management and protection.
More information about Project E.N.U.A is available on the NES website here or you can contact projectenua@cookislands.gov.ck
