A group of scientists are currently in Tailevu to ascertain the impact of coastal erosion on the village of Daku.

The Climate Change Country Committee, which had their first meeting last week, was informed that the Government is taking a strong pro-active stand with regards to climate change.

The Department of Energy informed the group, with members ranging from Non Government Organisations like SPC to institutes like the University of the South Pacific and ADB, that the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainmarama instructed that a study be done, as the villagers have had to move to higher ground.

Commodore Bainimarama also raised concern with the impact of climate change as this saw sea levels rising and as a result many coastal villages, Daku included were experiencing loss of village land as well as salt entering their agricultural land.

Committee Secretariat, Alisi Kulini said that salt water penetration is a major problem for Fiji and the scientists will be looking at how much assistance needs to be poured into projects to help villages.

Meanwhile, the Committee has been tasked with identifying sources of funding for any climate change projects or clean Development Mechanism projects such as wind farms or hydro-power damns.

The Committee chaired by Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Villiame Naupoto, is expected to meet again next month.