Jpeg
Conflict over natural resources in the Pacific region is escalating. Landowners are fighting for their rights and their future against corrupt governments and destructive companies. The seven year old Bougainville armed conflict is a result of landowner discontent and environmental destruction. In Melanesia, the "logging fields" are the latest arena where these bitter conflicts are being fought. Community tension over government supported logging of disputed lands on Pavuvu Island has lead to one murder, one suspicious death, and escalating violence. Maving Brothers Ltd, a Malaysian company, have logged half the remaining forest already, and are planning to move in on the rest.
JpegThe indigenous landowners are fighting to regain control of their lands and establish small scale village based "Ecoforestry". A recent report released to the Solomon Is media has documented US$2.2 million worth of bribes from one logging company to Cabinet Ministers and government workers. In response, a public rally and petition by Churches, Unions and Non¸governmental Organisations has called for the sacking of the Ministers concerned. On 4th December seven Solomon Island Government Ministers appeared in the Central Magistrates Court in Honiara on corruption charges.
In Solomon Islands logging continues at three times the estimated sustainable level, with production forests predicted to be logged within the next ten years. Logging practices by the mainly Malaysian and South Korean companies are uncontrolled and destructive, and supply the Japanese and Korean log market. With more than 60% of government revenue derived from log export levies, forest depletion means a looming disaster for the economy.
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