The primary focus of the project will be to restore the health of the Takuva?ine water catchment area, from mountains to sea. The land areas within the Takuvaine catchment where this project will be implemented are: Anakitao Nui, Anakitao Iti, Te Ko?u, Anga Kopua, Manureva, Kaiuna and Okava and make up approximately 1,107.5 acres of land. Traditional water terracing for taro cultivation is still practiced by planters in this area as well as the harvesting of wild ??t? and collection of medicinal plants and other native foods (e.g., i?i, coffee, taru?, k?mara, yam and ti). The importance of this watershed for food security and medicinal products is not only for those planting and living in this area, but also for everyone living on Rarotonga. However, over the last few decades many of these planting areas has been abandoned and overtaken by invasive trees, shrubs, and vines that are now smothering native flora.
The proposed project is to continue the KO current GEF-funded project in the Takuva?ine catchment and to include downstream habitats such as the adjoining reef. For example, the project is proposing to carry out an ocean cleanup, to remove household rubbish that are delivered to downstream reefs during flood events. We also plan to conduct community awareness programs to ensure that residents within this catchment take ownership of looking after the Takuva?ine catchment by implementing good land-use practices and proper disposal of their solid wastes to avoid the current problem.