The moisture-laden cloud forest of Savai’i is potentially a heritage site for Samoa, says the head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Ministry’s C.E.O. Frances Brown-Reupena told the Samoa Observer in a recent interview that the biodiversity found in the big island’s forest ecosystem has been highly rated by global environmental group Conservation International.

She said Savai’i is one of Samoa’s biodiversity hotspots and its cloud forests are the largest remaining intact high-altitude forests in Polynesia.

According to Mrs Brown-Reupena, the area was recently visited by a team from her Ministry as well as partner non-government organisations accompanied by local residents.

“We have had teams go up to Aopo and camp there at night to conduct research," she said.

Emphasising the significance of the area and its potential for conservation, the C.E.O. said there is a lot of potential and it could become part of a partnership between the M.N.R.E. and the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture.

“The M.N.R.E. is responsible for natural heritage (environment) while the M.E.S.C. is responsible for the cultural aspect of Samoa’s National Heritage Policy," she said in an interview.

An A.C.E.O. with the Ministry, Seumalo Afele Faiilagi, also expressed similar sentiments when discussing the country’s natural tropical forest cover amidst high elevated villages such as Aopo, Letui, Fagaee and Sasina and the highest point in Savai’i, Mt Silisili.

“It has the potential of attracting global interest in conservation because of its significance," Seumalo told this newspaper.

Samoa Conservation Society (S.C.S.) President, James Atherton, said the cloud forests of Savai’i can make Samoa become a world leader in conservation.

“We still have our mountains clothed in forests, our natural heritage is still relatively in good shape,” Mr Atherton said in a recent interview. “We have places like the Vanu River in Savai’i or a crater with 30,000 flying foxes in Lalomanu.

“We still have these amazing natural jewels and a chance to save it and to be a leader. 

“We just need to get our act together.”