The Efate Land Management Area (ELMA), formerly the Efate Reserve Park Area, is an initiative organized by the Efate Vaturisu Council of Chiefs (EVCC) to safeguard whatever land remains available as a result of mass migration to Efate and the capital of Port Vila.
The Department of Forests emphasizes that the importance of Vanuatu’s forests cannot be judged only from an economic perspective. Forests, land and people in Vanuatu are inseparably linked. Forests also are a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage and contribute to the welfare and economic development of the people. The proposed Efate Land Management Area is located in the center of Efate Island, an area that is largely inaccessible due to its highly variable topography, and is covered by large expanses of mid-height forests with small to medium crown canopies. This area houses a number of endemic plant species, including ferns and trees, and also is the home to a number of orchids and numerous wildlife species. Overall, the proposed area would significantly reinforce efforts to protect water resources, forest resources, including those used for traditional practices, and numerous cultural sites.
