Ministry of Culture and Tourism Condemns Deliberate Fire at Bloody Ridge National Historical Park and Calls for Public Assistance
Ministry of Culture and Tourism strongly condemns the alleged deliberate and irresponsible act of setting fire to parts of the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park, which has resulted in the destruction of newly planted vegetation and other important features established as part of the Park’s restoration and rehabilitation program.
The fire, which suspected to have been deliberately lit, has destroyed trees, native plants and rehabilitation works that were undertaken through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Solomon Islands National University (SINU), the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, and the Ministry of Forestry and Research.
These restoration efforts were aimed at rehabilitating the historical battlefield, improving its natural environment, and preserving its heritage value for future generations.
The Ministry views this incident with the utmost seriousness. Bloody Ridge is one of Solomon Islands’ most significant national historical sites.
It stands as a symbol of the sacrifices made during one of the most important battles fought on Guadalcanal during the Second World War.
It is not only a place of remembrance and national pride but also an important educational, cultural and tourism asset that belongs to all Solomon Islanders.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway, and the Ministry is working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and identify those responsible.
The Ministry calls upon all residents living in and around the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park to respect and protect this important national asset.
Community ownership and vigilance are essential in safeguarding the Park from acts of vandalism and destruction.
We urge anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward and report it to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force or the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Those responsible for this act must be held accountable for the damage they have caused.
Destroying public property and a nationally significant heritage site undermines years of work by government, development partners, educational institutions and local communities who have invested considerable time and resources into restoring the park.
The Ministry remains fully committed to the rehabilitation and long-term development of the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park as a place of remembrance, education, conservation and sustainable tourism. We will continue working with our partners and surrounding communities to restore the damaged areas and strengthen measures to better protect the Park against future acts of vandalism.
The Ministry calls on every Solomon Islander to stand together in protecting our national heritage. Preserving places like Bloody Ridge is a shared responsibility and an investment in our nation’s history, identity and future.
Source: MCT Press Statement
