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Logging and Eco Forestry in Papua New Guinea

Shoot

GP01876

04/22/2006

The forests in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea are under threat from illegal, unsustainable logging and already logging companies have acquired 70 per cent of the available forest resource in Papua New Guinea, threatening local forest communities who depend on the forests for food, clean water and medicine. Logging perpetrates social problems such as poverty as local people are robbed of the valuable sources that they depend on. Greenpeace has condemned the destructive Kiunga Aiambak Road Project which was presented originally to develop the economy of the region but in reality its purpose has been to serve a destructive logging operation in the area. Due to poor construction and maintenance, the road itself has never served as a highway. It’s only purpose has been to truck logs out of the forest. The consequences of creating this road have been economic and social as well as environmental.
At the request of locals, Greenpeace sets up the Global Forest Rescue Station (GFRS) to help the indigenous people with ‘boundary marking’ to protect their homeland. This will give these people more control over their land and is part of a programme of community solutions work which also involves other initiatives such as initiating self-reliance and small-scale eco-enterprises so that locals can establish their own businesses in the area.