An Evening With Na Gone Marama Bale Roko Tui Dreketi - Invitation

Date:  Saturday, 24 July 2010 

Time:  16:00 - 23:00 Location:  Aunty Rey Loa's Residence Street:  652 Scofield Avenue Town/City:  East Palo Alto, CA 

 Ni sa bula vinaka!

 

Rewa Media Committee California Branch is delighted to invite you to a Dinner and Bula Evening to raise funds for various activities and events for RMC in Fiji. RMC is headquartered in Toga, Rewa, and has hard-working professional men and women based in Suva, Nausori, Brisbane and the United States, as members.

 

RMC has kindly sponsored numerous activities and projects involving men, women, young people and children from a large part ofRewa Province, including social and religious, in the last two to three years. Among their major projects in recent weeks, apart from the monthly Lotu ni Yasana o Rewa, were hosting a large delegation of Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association members in Lomanikoro to donate nearly a thousand colourful and illustrated Bibles to the children of Rewa, and also co-ordinating and sponsoring all major components of the successful Rewa Day 2010 which attracted thousands of Rewa people and their connections from all over the country in Nausori last month.

 

As the California-based member of RMC, I am honoured to invite you to this Dinner and Bula Evening, in which we will all come together to share news, views and typical Fijian fun, and raise funds for worthy causes and projects back home.

 

The event will be kindly co-hosted by Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Association, USA Branch, in the gracious presence of RoTeimumu Kepa, Na Gone Marama Bale Roko Tui Dreketi.

 

MENU, MUSIC AND PRIZES

 

We will have Lovo, Fish and Meat Dishes, Salads, Desserts and Drinks, both soft and not-so-soft (kaila).

 

There will also be barbecue on the side, the unmistakable FIJI Water by the packs and Yaqona by the bowls.

We will listen to old favourites and new vibes from Fiji, and also sing along with an EPA-based string band known to produce spontaneous music at such gatherings.

 

Please shed your boring formal clothes and come in your colourful Sulu vaka-Tonga, Fijian T-shirts, Bula Shirts, Mumu and Jamba, and Salusalu (kerekere me kua na tekiteki)

 

Two large bottles of one of the world's most prized spirits, the Bounty Fiji Rum from Lautoka, will go to the Best Sulu and Bula Fiji-clad Male and Female, while the Best Bula Couple will get one of Fiji's most prized mats, Ibe Kuta from Bua.

There will also be special prizes of Pure Fiji products and Fijian products for special illustrations by brave Fijians during the night.

The prizes have been kindly donated by Na Gone Marama Bale and her USA-based family members, and also by members of RMC in Nausori and Suva. They have all sent their love and best wishes for the occasion.

 

You are asked to pay $30 per person and donations are most welcome!

 

Please contact Ateca Cavu (ACSOG USA President - 650-771-0210, Mereoni Bola (ACSOG USA Vice President - 415-871-6990) or me, Vasiti Ritova (RMC California - 650-679-0169) for more information and/or directions to EPA for the event.

 

We invite all our families, friends, old scholar colleagues from Marist, QVS, RKS, Grammar, Ratu Sukuna, Lelean, St Joseph's, Levuka Public and St John's, Natabua, BMS etc, our colleagues, acquaintances, kei na mata veiwekani.

 

We will have neat fun and share many good things together as a family!

Vinaka vakalevu na loloma!

 

See you in East Palo Alto!

Vasiti Ritova (Rewa Media Comm - Califormia)

 

Please note, for further enquiries, do contact:

Ateca Cavu (ACSOG USA President - 650-771-0210,

Mereoni Bola (ACSOG USA Vice President - 415-871-6990)

Vasiti Ritova (ACSOG/RMC California - 650-679-0169)

 

 Me nomuni na kalougata!

Va Waqanisanini - Brisbane

(on behalf of Rewa Media Committee)

Workshop to record Fijian literature

By Geraldine Panapasa

Fiji Times - Friday, July 09, 2010

A SERIES of workshops is being organised by the University of Fiji's Centre for Indigenous Studies to produce education material in the Fijian vernacular for students in Form Seven and Foundation Studies.

The first of the series of workshops concluded yesterday after a week-long collaboration on Fijian culture and way of life.

University Fellow in Fijian Studies Rejieli Racule said the participants were mostly retired teachers and civil servants with vast knowledge of Fijian culture and literature.

"The workshop is one of three that we have organised centred on producing materials for Form Seven and Foundation students," she said.

"The participants have a lot of knowledge, wisdom and years of experience in the community.

"We hope to collect all the written materials they have produced at the workshop and turn it into maybe resource materials or a textbook for language and literature studies in Fijian.

"There are several materials in the Fijian language that is used in the school curriculum but it is mostly for primary schools.

"There are very few materials in the Fijian vernacular for secondary schools which is why this workshop aims to produce those written materials for students in Form Seven and those attending Foundation studies."

Ms Racule said the language and literature materials in the Fijian vernacular would cover a wide range of genres from short stories to poetry, expository and non-fiction materials.

She said the workshop was also aimed at creating awareness on the importance of the written word in Fijian.

"It is a very challenging task. We are very much an oral community when it comes to the Fijian language and the written form is usually very different from the oral use of language," she said.

Ms Racule said they hoped to produce the collection of written Fijian language and literature materials at the end of the workshop schedule.

New Tui Suva installed

Report by : Sekope Toduadua

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Ratu Epeli Kanakana

The Vanua of Nadonumai, has traditionally installed the new Roko Tui Suva.

Spokesperson Serupepeli Dakai of Suvavou village says that Metui Mudunavosa Ligasalei has been installed as the new Roko Tui Suva. 

Ligasalei replaces Ratu Epeli Kanakana who was laid to rest last week. 

Metui hails from the Vunimocelolo clan of Suvavou village. 

Dakai say the new Tui Suva was traditionally installed last week and will be spiritually bestowed this Sunday at the Suvavou Methodist Church.

The Roko Tui Suva is the traditional chief of the area that includes the nation's capital.

Headmen ready to enforce bylaws

by IFEREIMI NADORE

Fiji Times - Tuesday, July 06, 2010

VILLAGE headmen are expected to execute their duties as custodians of the new village by-laws as early as next month, the Fijian Affairs Board has confirmed.

Fijian Affairs Board deputy chief executive officer Colonel Apakuki Kurusiga said yesterday said a team assigned to put together the various recommendation from the 14 provinces of Fiji would be presenting a paper next month in which they hope to finalise a decision for its implementation.

Col. Kurusiga said the response from the 14 provinces was overwhelming.

"From what we gather all provinces fully support the village-by laws and want it implemented without further delays," he said.

"We'll put it to them and we'll see if they can allow it through. A lot of people want changes," he added.

He said because of the geographical locations of some provinces the deadline for submissions would finally close this week.

He said that some interesting inputs from various tikina such as Verata in Tailevu and even Ba Province was really encouraging. Ba Province, in its submission called for the banning of gay relationship, adultery and also eloping in village settings.

Col. Kurusiga said the FAB would hold a workshop for NGOs and various government departments within the next two weeks to gauge their views.

Mualevu chief, Ratu Josefa Basulu laid to rest today

Fiji Sun News - 5 July 2010

The Sau Mai Mualevu, Ratu Josefa Basulu will be laid to rest today at the the chiefly burial ground at Mualevu Village, Vanuabalavu, Lau. His Matanivanua Fifita Volau told the Fiji Sun at the Marine Jetty, Walu Bay yesterday, that Ratu Josefa died of prostate cancer at his daughter's residence in Nadi last week. He said Ratu Josefa was a chief for the people. "We will really miss his chiefly leadership," Mr Volau said. Ratu Josefa's last journey started yesterday from Nadi to the Marine Jetty at Walu Bay where his body was taken to Vanuabalavu by the government vessel "Iloilovatu.  He was accompanied by 80 people (10 each from the eight villages in the Mualevu district) and close relatives. Mr Volau said upon arrival at Lomaloma jetty, the traditional ceremony ivakasobu will be performed by some elders of Mualevu before proceeding to Mualevu village. Ratu Josefa was the deputy chairman of the Lau Provincial Council. The late Ratu Josefa was installed as Sau mai Mualevu in 1992.

Lands ministry identifies idle state land

Fiji Live News - 5 July 2010

Fiji’s Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is now trying to determine and identify the total number of idle and un-utilized state land.

Permanent secretary for Lands, Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said the exercise has already begun in the central division as part of the Ministry’s commitment to land reform. 

“The data and information collected will help us correct an extremely inequitable distribution of land, to increase productivity,” he said. 

Land reform is part of government’s overall intent to facilitate access to un-utilized land whilst at the same time, look at ways to encourage the more efficient and productive use of land.

The Ministry has to this end, established a Land Reform Division following the Prime Minister’s endorsement for the Ministry to go ahead with its programmes to implement the Land Reform initiative.

Leweni is encouraging land owners to come forward if they want their land to be fully utilized with the land bank now established.

“We are not interfering with the work of the Native Land Trust Board as this land bank is for landowners who still have their lying idle which can be used for development,” he said.

Leweni hopes this will also help investors who are looking for land for development.

“Land constraints has and will continue to serve as the drive for the people, therefore we need to make strategic shifts towards a higher value-added and more land efficient economic activities,” he said.

He added at the same time, the government has to think up more productive ways of using land to support future growth.

“Higher productive use of land will enable us to accommodate both higher economic activities and a higher quality of life for the people.

He established that the Divisional surveyor’s in the north and the west are now working closely with their respective Commissioners to indentify land that has already been leased out but remains un-utilized or left idle.

Register with NLC

by Reijeli Kikau

Fiji Times - Saturday, July 03, 2010

THERE are seven disputed landowning unit title holders being looked into by the Native Lands Commission, says chairman Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua.

He said these were pending disputes.

"We are working on seven cases and once completed, a decision will be announced on the rightful title holder," he said.

Ratu Viliame said they had an annual budget of $20,000 allocated for solving disputed title holders.

As of April, 2496 heads of landowning units or turaga ni mataqali from the 14 provinces have not registered with the Native Lands Commission , he said.

Ratu Viliame said only 1830 had registered so far and others had to register to receive their lease monies.

"Our staff are conducting awareness programes and we are liaising with the Roko Tui on the issue," he said.

He said to register, the turaga ni mataqali had to produce a letter signed by all mataqali members confirming their appointment as head of their landowning unit. A confirmation letter would then be sent to the Native Land Trust Board on the issue.

Ratu Viliame said the confirmation letter would allow the turaga ni mataqali to receive their share of monies as title holders during the lease payments every month.

Native Land Trust Board General Manager Alipate Qetaki said he would comment on the issue later.

New Province Levy

by Theresa Ralogaivau

Fiji Times - Saturday, July 03, 2010

ALL Cakaudrove men between the ages of 18 to 60 will pay $6 each as provincial levy from next year.

The province is targeting $140,000 with an estimated population of 23,000 Fijian males. This is an increase from the usual $67,000.

Roko Tui Cakaudrove Ro Aca Mataitini said the $6 levy was a change from the one imposed using the vanua structure of clans, villages and landowning units.

"For instance if a clan had to pay $700, the figure would be evenly shared among each unit or mataqali which would collectively raise funds for their contribution towards the total amount," he said.

"Villagers considered it a burden to raise $700 compared to just $6 each male."

The new system relieves women from raising funds to contribute to the levy.

Ro Aca said of the $140,000, $67,000 would go towards village visits and provincial office staff wages. The balance would be directed towards a scholarship fund.

"The Soqosoqo Vakamarama (women's group) is raising $20,000 every year for scholarships which they can now save to fund projects that enhance women's lives."

Another change is the timeframe which is now the end of June. The old timeframe was between January and November each year.

"We have budgeted ahead for operations but provincial levies are paid late so this should solve that," he said.

"If they don't pay within the required timeframe we will have to reconsider some village visits and operations."

Celebrating the Year of Biodiversity

Fiji Sun News - 3 July 2010

Manage, share and  earn from i qoliqoli  biodiversity: Nataleira village has a well kept secret, the playful and graceful dolphins in the i qoliqoli. Long being part of their seascape, the villagers delight their visitors by sharing this secret and they have been doing so for a couple of years. Naturally, the dolphins became the magnet that pulled staff of WWF, the conservation organisation, to take their meeting to ‘Natalei Ecolodge’ in the village. The ecolodge is owned by Nataleira, one of 11 villages in the tikina Dawasamu and houses local and overseas tourists while generating income for the villagers.  A meeting room is the newest addition to the Natalei Ecolodge. As it were, the WWF team is first to use the beach side meeting room and no doubt, countless others will follow. Set in a row, fifty feet from the black sandy beach, the six thatch bures built with local materials by the villagers are ordinary but quaint, comfortable and clean. Drifting asleep on and waking to the gentle burst of waves crashing on the beach is soothing and brings memories of hard work and a carefree childhood in my seaside village.  From the wooden decking under the dilo tree, no reef system is visible on the horizon and one stares out to the expanse of open sea.  Coral reefs are submerged in this i qoliqoli giving the illusion of open waters. ‘Moon reef’, called thus for its shape, is one of these and is home to the famed dolphins of Nataleira, a pod of 30 to 50 spinner dolphins. I have no doubt that connections to the dolphins live on still in local stories and legends.  The Dawasamu i qoliqoli is 150.01 sq. kms or the size of 21,430 rugby fields and no fishing of any type is allowed in the ‘tabu’ or protected area, which takes up an area the size of 157 rugby fields.  Those that have been studying this i qoliqoli say fish numbers are rising, sizes are bigger, there is more variety caught, the coral reefs are healthier and family income associated with fishing is increasing compared to a couple of years ago.  A management plan to guide the use of the collective iqoliqoli, and protect the dolphins, was put together in 2006 by the tikina and enforced on behalf of the tikina by the coastal villages of Nataleira, Silana, Nasinu, Lolomalevu and Driti, to address the increased take of fish and the associated damage it brings. With benefits from managed i qoliqoli’s seen and felt by i qoliqoli stewards, there is renewed commitment and resolve by the Dawasamu community, to improve and maintain the health and bounty of the i qoliqoli “Me kedra sasalu tawa mudu na noda kawa” or ‘everlasting fish for our future generation’.  In this mission, they are joined by 127 other groups of i qoliqoli stewards, from 67 out of 127 tikina across the provinces of Lau, Rewa, Tailevu, Serua, Lomaiviti, Ra, Ba, Nadroga, Macuata, Cakaudrove and Bua, members of the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) network. Fiji and Pacific Islands – guardians of the largest ocean: The Fiji Government in a bold move, announced in 2005, at the ten year review of the Barbados Plan of Action (BPoA) in Mauritius, its commitment “by 2020, at least 30 per cent of Fiji’s inshore and offshore marine areas (i qoliqoli) will have come under a comprehensive, ecologically, representative networks of MPAs, which are effectively managed and financed.” Underpinning the confidence to make this call is the extensive work on the ground by the FLM MA network. This did two things. It set Fiji on a course to meet its protected area commitment to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). Secondly, it triggered a chain of events in the Pacific that saw the Micronesia challenge launched at the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in Curitiba, Brazil in 2007 by the leaders of Micronesia, the commitment of the Kiribati government for the Phoenix islands MPA and across the Caribbean in a similar commitment.  Globally, this became the largest collective MPA network commitment at the time.  Home to the world’s highest proportion of endemic species per unit of land, the Pacific Islands region consequently has the highest number of threatened species in the world. Amongst other things, the region boasts 41 per cent of the world’s tropical coral reefs and the world’s richest tuna fisheries. It is home to many vulnerable and endangered marine species including: 6 of the 7 extant species of marine turtle, the last remaining nesting population of Western Pacific Leatherback turtles and 9 of the 11 whale species. Investing in the  nature of Fiji: The Fiji Government through the National Trust of Fiji and the Protected Area Committee has started in the past two years the identification of crucial areas for biodiversity, biological and ecological processes towards planning for and putting in place a national network of protected areas across the land, waterways and the seas of Fiji. The FLMMA network is an important building block in this process, bringing in a broad base of community views and inputs. In the last 10 years, FLMMA has strengthened itself through members gaining new and sharpening existing skills, experience and in leadership qualities. As well as an investment of roughly over 6 million Fijian dollars (through the FLMMA secretariat and to partner organizations) in gathering information on fish and the i qoliqoli, setting up and monitoring local protected areas, social and economic information of households, sharing lessons and best practice at national, regional and international forums and facilitating workshops at LMMA partner sites in Asia Pacific. Many pioneering community stewards and organisation partner officers passed away during this time. Although saddened at their passing, I have wonderful memories of meetings around the country, the tension–filled as well as funny moments with those I worked closely with. I am greatly encouraged as well, that others equally passionate and committed have come on board to take their place. The good things resulting from the FLMMA network is their legacy and a celebration of hard work, commitment to future generation and the never say die attitude they have invested in the cause. WWF’s choice of Nataleira for its meeting was guided by the fact the village is part of the FLMMA network. It was logical therefore to invest our ‘costs’ into a i qoliqoli fund raising effort and be confident that this will support the aspirations of the community towards improving the children’s education, members livelihood and the long term care of its ‘natural bank’ –– their i qoliqoli and natural resource. A natural investment  –– the FLMMA network: The shared dream of sustaining into the future the ‘benefits’ of a well managed i qoliqoli through free or affordable fish for our children and the enjoyment by the next generation of global citizens, vibrant coral reef systems filled with varied colourful and amazing attendant life forms, and other unseen benefits this brings, has been the reason and driver for much investment of money, time, emotion, energy and unwavering commitment over many years by many people, communities and organisations. To keep tabs of changes and benefits and keep the people informed, regular measurement of catches, enforcing compliance to i qoliqoli rules, continuing education, meetings of committees and fish wardens, communicating decisions to i qoliqoli households, regular monitoring surveys, presentation at tikina and provincial meetings, and attending annual network meetings are must actions for i qoliqoli managers into the future. I qoliqoli management structure set up, fund raising for long term management, skills and capacity building of i qoliqoli committees, fish wardens and site managers are on going to then completely take on management as funding, capacity and skills provided by partner organisations are fazed out from site at the end of project funding.  FLMMA with its partner Community Conservation Investment Fund (CCIF), based in Bali, Indonesia, are working out the investment required for FLMMA to finance these network activities at site levels in the next 30 years.  The plan is designed for the local community i qoliqoli stewards, the organisation partners, enlightened local Corporates, Government Aid Agencies (GAA) and Foundations sharing FLMMA’s vision and who recognise that an investment in nature is an investment in the future, an insurance policy which will pay back many times over for years to come. Not just in terms of fish for local people, vitally important of course but also in providing and maintaining the sturdy offshore reef system, protecting our villages against the worst excesses of climate change, and in the special but not unique case of Nataleira, marine wildlife which will like us draw tourists to come and spend their dollars directly in the community. A step at a time: A believer in taking small steps at a time, FLMMA has a little over FJ$100,000 to start the ball rolling immediately, earned over the years from various sources. Firstly an award won through the global Equator Initiative competition in 2002; financial contribution from Conservation International (CI) for FLMMA support on its global marine managed area (MMA) research and from financial contribution through ‘adopt a mangrove, adopt a coral reef, and or adopt a coral’ at the www.sasalutawamudu.org website, a collaboration between the University of the South Pacific’s Institute of Applied Science, a FLMMA member and its US based partner, University of Georgia Tech. Qoliqoli Committees in many FLMMA sites, are fundraising towards their own financial needs for the management of their own i qoliqolis in the long term. For example, WWF with it’s partners, the districts of Dreketi, Macuata, Sasa & Mali have in the past 2 years organised the Great Sea Reef Rugby Sevens (GSR 7) tournaments to raise funds for the i qoliqoli management into the future. Similar initiatives are in process and in place at Korolevu-i-wai in Nadroga, Navukavu in Rewa and Kubulau in Bua. Living off the i qoliqoli - the way of life for many : At sunrise on the second day, I indulged in a childhood pastime of walking the beach where the sea rolls back over the sand, watching my footprint disappear and pretending no one would know with no print to tell. I looked up at the stretch of curved beach ahead, the black sand dotted white with broken bleached coral and shells strewn across it like a swathe of stars on a cloudless night sky. I watched little fishes moving effortlessly in a waterway without a telltale ripple on the surface, marvelling at the still and clear water under the large ivi and mangrove trees lining the sides of the waterway. Across it, a water pipe hangs mid air anchored to trees on either side. From afar, the pipe looked like the top part of a net and I thought to myself that the baby fishes would be trapped when the tide flow out. Of course the villagers are part of FLMMA and know about not trapping or killing baby fishes, the future catch. The noise from a group of WWF staff playing rugby on the beach caused me to turn back. I thought to myself, it is possible for our great grandchildren to have walks on litter free beaches like this one anywhere in Fiji. I paused in front of my bure to pick from the damp grass the freshly fallen bunch of pale yellow flowers (sei) of the pandanus or vadra tree, with its sweet smelling powdery dust scenting the morning air still. After a week in Nataleira, I returned with excitement, a bit of nostalgia and a certainty that with like minded corporations and groups committed to protecting and making the nature of Fiji (her birds, her trees, her waterways, her seas, her fishes, her coral reefs, her turtles & whales, her people, her cultures and her way of life) work for her –– then the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area thirty year financing plan has to be realised. My grandchildren now know the local secret and are not content on just knowing. ‘I want to see them jump out of the water and hear their voices’, Ana Maria my grand daughter declares, holding me to my promise to return to Nataleira and to the ‘Natalei Ecolodge’ with her, her sister Talei Qativi, cousin Kilagi Amanda and older brother, Livai Peter Sausauvou. Kesaia Tabunakawai, WWF South Pacific Programme –– a Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) network partner and chair of FLMMA Long Term Financing Working Group.

State to on-lease native land via 'land bank'

Fiji Live News - July 02, 2010 

A land bank has been set up through which native owners can allow government to use their property for development purposes and on-lease it at market rates, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has announced.

Delivering the address for the 2010 revised Budget, Bainimarama said potential investors and farmers can sub-lease or lease land from the State for a period of up to 99 years from the land bank.

At a post-Budget press conference, permanent secretary for Lands, Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni said: “The NLTB (Native Land Trust Board) will continue to deal with native leases and for interested native land owners who want to give up their land for development, they can visit the land bank and they can give in their land and the land reform unit will address it from there on.”

The land bank is officially known as the Land Use Unit and is established under the Land Use Decree 2010.

Announcing details of the decree in a separate statement, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the unit will only use land that has been designated by native titled landowners, from whom consent will have to be obtained.

Sayed-Khaiyum said that there is currently a substantial amount of both native land and crown land that is vacant and available and not utilised to its full potential. 

“Given that the current land reform policy increases economic development, it is imperative that land is made available for utilisation,” he said.

He said the existing laws pertaining to leasing of both crown and native lands are cumbersome and bureaucratic.

“The long processes and the delay to finalise leases frustrates applicants and therefore reduces the development of the economy in general.”

“The State will, at all times, take into consideration the best interest of the landowners while leasing native land.”

He said the decree will also provide for the leasing of all available crown land.

Proposal targets village marriages

Fiji Times - Friday, July 02, 2010

ALL village men who intend to get married must build a house and have a plantation before marriage.

This is a proposal under soon-to-be enacted village by-laws.

It is understood that this proposal has been the norm in several villages for a while now.

Under the draft village by-laws, no married men should hit or abuse their wives. The proposal states all houses built in a village must first be approved by the head of the landowning unit and head of the yavusa before construction begins.

It adds there must be a 12-metre space between each house and all homes must have a kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and toilet.

No house, however, must be bigger than that of the head of the vanua.

Under the proposed laws all boats operating from villages must be licensed before operations begin.

The boats must have the appropriate equipment.

Checks will be conducted by the village headman before the craft is used for fishing or transport.

By-law ban attempt

by Reijeli Kikau
Fiji Times - Friday, July 02, 2010

SMOKING will be banned in village meeting halls under the proposed by-laws.

The draft states all public places within the village such as the community halls and kindergartens and private homes declared no smoking zones, will be smoke-free.

In addition, the by-laws make provisions for the proper disposal of rubbish.

Rubbish must be separated from compost and disposed of accordingly. Villagers will not be allowed to throw rubbish carelessly in the village, on the foreshore or in rivers.

The villagers will be expected to keep animals away from rivers and sources of drinking water. If rubbish is not disposed of under the village laws, the matter must be reported during meetings.

The proposed law states that shouting, singing unnecessarily loudly, increasing the volume of the radio, calling loudly and increasing the volume of television will be considered noise pollution.

The proposed by-laws come under the ambit of the Fijian Affairs Ministry, which is conducting a consultation process around the country. Several provinces are discussing the proposal.