COOK ISLANDS, Mitiaro Island - January 2008
Renovation of eight community water tanks, purchase of 60 household waste bins and construction of paths and hand rails in exchange for the establishment of a 2,965-acre forest protected area for a duration of 10 years
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Mitiaro is one of the southern islands of the Cook Islands group with a population of 318 located on the western coast in four closely grouped villages. Most of the island is about four feet above sea level, and the seepage of salt water into the water table has rendered ground water brackish and unfit for human consumption. Seacology is funding the renovation of the communities’ eight 10,000-gallon water tanks, which currently leak and have minimal water-holding capabilities. Seacology is also providing 60 household waste bins to help curtail littering and support the island’s waste disposal and management program, as well as funding the construction of steps and hand rails to better access two water caves. In exchange, the Mitiaro communities will declare 2,965 acres of their island as a conservation area for a duration of 10 years, including all areas where two rare and endemic endangered species survive, the Ā’i sandalwood and Mitiaro fan palm.
UPDATE May 2008 - As of April 2008 the project was pending a start date due to lack of transportation options to ship materials to the site. Cement was transported but other materials are delayed until another vessel travels to the area. As soon as a shipment can be arranged Seacology field representative Allan Tuara will travel to Mitiaro to help the project leader conduct the initial stages of construction.
