Nagotano Community and Ministry of Environment Call for Collective Action on Environmental Stewardship

The Nagotano community, in Ngella Central Province, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, WCS and various partners, recently hosted a landmark event to celebrate three significant environmental milestones at the global, regional, and national levels. The gathering served as a powerful reminder that the protection of natural resources is a collective responsibility essential for the survival of current and future generations.

During the event, Deputy Director Conservation Mr Trevor Maeda emphasized that the Nagotano community is uniquely positioned due to its rich natural resources and its role as “front-liners” in witnessing environmental challenges firsthand. He expressed gratitude for the community’s leadership and vision, noting that the ministry, partners, and the community must draw their resources together to better manage the forests, oceans, and local ecosystems.

“Without the environment, our livelihood is a big question mark,” Mr Maeda stated, highlighting that the environment is not just a resource but the foundation of life itself. The event underscored several critical themes:

• Shared Responsibility on Environmental stewardship is not an optional choice but an obligation for every individual, province, and national government body. While the community manages resources on the ground, the national government is called upon to develop robust environmental legislation and policies to support these local efforts.
• Addressing Global Challenges, the community acknowledged that they are facing daunting challenges, including climate change and pollution, which often exceed local human, technical, and financial capacities.
• Intergenerational Investment as a central focus of the celebration was the empowerment of the youth. Current conservation efforts are described as an investment of time and effort intended to ensure that the next generation inherits a healthy environment.
• Spiritual and Moral Obligation which is reflected on the biblical foundations of stewardship, noting that while communities may claim ownership of resources, they are ultimately bound by a responsibility to care for them.

The event concluded with a strong call for continued awareness and engagement. Mr Maeda reaffirmed the Ministry’s  commitment to working alongside provincial governments to create relevant ordinances and policies that translate community leadership into tangible, long-term environmental protection.

By standing together, the Nagotano community and its partners aim to transform local actions into a national model for sustainable resource management.