- 28 March 2021

Protection and restoration of drinking water catchment areas in New-Caledonia

Official launch of operations this Wednesday 24th of February at the Pacific Community

Water catchment areas are subject to numerous anthropogenic and natural threats (economic activities, climate change, cyclones, forest fires, invasive species, etc.). Nevertheless, their role is essential because they fulfil multiple functions and services such as maintaining water quality, conserving biodiversity, recreation, etc.

Through the PROTEGE project, the Pacific Community, in partnership with the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) and in collaboration with the government of New Caledonia and the North and South provinces, is launching operations for the protection and restoration of drinking water supply catchment areas in New Caledonia.

These operations are funded via the PROTEGE project to up to 317,000 euros; the French Office for Biodiversity is providing additional funding of 115,000 euros.

This action is part of New Caledonia's shared water policy (PEP) under strategic objective No. 1 OS1, PR'EAU'TECTION, which aims at protecting water catchments and strategic resources and preserve the environment.

The objectives of the operations carried out within PROTEGE are to implement methods and corrective actions for the restoration, protection and preservation of watersheds in order to respond to the following issues:

- the fight against erosion factors (fires, invasive species, deforestation)

- consolidation of the protection perimeters (defences, information and awareness-raising for the public and users)

Three project leaders were selected to carry out these field operations:

- Houaïlou County / Waa Wi Luu

- ONFI – Touho / Tuo Cèmuhî

- WWF – Dumbéa

For more details on their actions download the press kit in the link below (in french).

This Wednesday 24 February brought together project leaders and stakeholders, many of whom came to the launch of the operations, including: the European Union, the French Biodiversity Office, the Government of New Caledonia, ONFI, WWF, the Counties of Houaïlou and Touho, and the North and South provinces.