Solomon Islands Marks World Wildlife Day with Focus on Medicinal Plants and Conservation

By Andreana Kole

The Solomon Islands joined over 180 countries on March 3rd to celebrate World Wildlife Day, highlighting the critical link between the country’s “living pharmacies” and the survival of its people.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology Hon. Wayne Ghemu delivered official remarks centered on this year’s theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihood.”

The Minister emphasized that for Solomon Islanders, biodiversity is not just an environmental concern but also a matter of primary healthcare.

“Our forests, rivers, and mountains are not only beautiful landscapes; they are living pharmacies, food sources, and cultural archives,” he stated.

He noted that with more than 80% of the world’s population relying on plant-based remedies, the reality is even more profound in the Solomon Islands, where traditional medicine remains a primary source of treatment for rural and remote communities.

“This knowledge, passed down from our elders to younger generations, is a priceless inheritance that strengthens both our cultural identity and our resilience,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to international and national conservation frameworks. Key updates shared during the program include the review of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan,  continued implementation for specialized action plans, including the National Plan of Action for Turtles 2023–2027, the Saltwater Crocodile Conservation and Management Plan 2023–2027, the Prehensile Monkey-Tailed Skink Management Plan, and the Species Action Plan for the endangered Santa Cruz ground dove.

He also highlighted that as the sixth Pacific Island nation to join the Nagoya Protocol, the country is developing regulations to safeguard indigenous knowledge, guarantee prior informed consent, and establish mutually agreed terms.

Despite hosting some of the world’s richest ecosystems, Minister Ghemu warned that this heritage remains fragile and is threatened by unsustainable resource use, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

He reminded the public that protecting it is not only an environmental responsibility but also a national duty essential to the country’s survival.

To combat these threats, the he also announced plans to declare new protected areas in several provinces this year, providing safe havens for species and ecosystems.

ENDS//