Bio-diversity

Vanuatu significant biodiversity included endemic species, natural forest and coral habitats. Tanna island itself hosted 8 species of endemic plant species, UNDP Local conservation Initiative Project Report, 2008). The population s The Ienimaha community is situated on an active volcanic-plain on the island of Tanna. Tanna Island is the most densely populated island in Vanuatu with 28,799 people, and with an annual population growth rate of 1.1% (National census Report, 2009). The Ienimaha community has over 30 households of local huts share forest and marine resources with the surrounding communities of Ipakangian, Iarkei, Ienamakel and Ianapuas. These five (5) communities are well-served by a main arterial road, the White-sands health centre, primary, intermediate/junior secondary schools; and passing tourists. The active volcano of yasur is a popular tourist destination today in Vanuatu. With the growing demand for food and shelter resources from the forest and marine, the natural environment resources are becoming scarce to support the growing population. And these had created hardships for the local people especially the women who had to go far or migrant elsewhere to gather enough resources for family livelihood. The RIMPA project will seek to restock forest and marine resources that the inhabitants of these communities depend on; effectively curbing land-degradation/encroaching volcanic ash-plain, promoting sustainable livelihoods and enhancing participating communities` management of marine resources through traditional management and monitoring systems. Furthermore, strengthen these communities capacity to utilise shared-resources in a sustainable way, and realise other short to medium-term benefits through income-generation mechanism, in the promotion of these resources in eco-tourism

Vanuatu