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BLOCKADE OF LOGGING OPERATIONS IN ISTA CONTINUES
Protest by Nuxalk Nation, FAN, Greenpeace, PATH and Bear Watch enters day two
ISTA, B.C. - 7 June, 1997
The blockade of logging operations in Ista, a rainforest valley that is sacred to the Nuxalk Nation, entered day two today with 55 individuals continuing to protest International Forest Products' clearcutting of the Great Bear Rainforest.
The blockade of the main logging road in Ista began yesterday morning after Nuxalk hereditary chiefs, a Nuxalk Band Councillor and people from the community held a farewell ceremony to urge Interfor to leave their territory. They have invited environmental groups to support them in their fight to protect the rainforest. Since then, Interfor has attempted to serve an injunction on the individuals protesting rainforest destruction (1). The RCMP have also visited the site, but have as yet made no attempt to remove the 55 people.
"As long as Interfor continues to clearcut the rainforest, we will continue to protest the destruction," said Tamara Stark of Greenpeace.
This year in Ista, International Forest Products has clearcut three cutblocks and continues to push roads into the old growth forests. They plan to log 11 more rainforest areas in the next three years.
"What we are witnessing here at Ista is not acceptable," said Gavin Edwards of the Forest Action Network. "At this stage we really have no alternative but to stand together to stop the clearcutting of the Great Bear Rainforest."
Added Chief Edward Moody, "As they clearcut the ancient rainforests of Ista, they clearcut our history."
Of all the logging companies operating on the coast, International Forest Products has licenses to clear the largest number of intact rainforest valleys. Approximately half of these valleys will have roads built into them or be clearcut within the next five years.
The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest contiguous unprotected rainforest in British Columbia and is a forest of global ecological significance. Satellite mapping carried out by the World Resources Institute shows that half of the world's temperate rainforest has already been destroyed and that temperate rainforests are more endangered than tropical rainforests.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Greenpeace ship vessel Moby Dick: 011-872-624-628-410.
(If not in range dial 0 for a marine operator and ask for Moby Dick N#: N116744 at King Island repeater station channel 28).
Greg Higgs at the Forest Action Network: 250-799-5800
Hereditary chiefs at the House of Smaysta: 250-799-5376
Editors' Note:
1. The injunction is one obtained in September of 1995 after the Nuxalk and members of the Forest Action Network protested clearcutting in Ista, and 21 individuals were arrested. back to text