Customary Land and Climate Change Induced Relocation: A Case Study of Vunidogoloa Village, Vanua Levu, Fiji

Increasingly unremitting weather patterns and rising sea levels have obligated Fiji to become one of the first countries in the South Pacific to relocate communities due to climate change. The customary lands reflect the traditional and communal structure of the indigenous Fijians and parting from it as a consequence of forced relocation is a delicate and vulnerable issue that establishes some of the negative effects of population displacement. Relocation to a new land signifies separation from uniquely adapted traditions that took thousands of years to form. The purpose of this paper is to explore the cultural, social, environmental and economic impacts of climate change induced displacement on the people of Vunidogoloa village and generate suggestions for consideration of socioeconomic and customary aspects in the much anticipated institutional relocation strategies. The paper achieves its purpose through experiences of the people of Vunidogoloa village, in light of the interviews and discussions carried out at the village and interviews conducted with the relevant government officials. In addressing this objective the paper analyses the main constraints of resettlement, the land-people bond, governance, and funding. The paper concludes by providing recommendations essential for national policy guidelines and communities in the South Pacific and in the other parts of the world that face or will face similar challenge.