A LOCAL conservationist is calling for an investigation into the legality of MEGA logging company operation in east Are’are, Malaita province.
John Atitete, who run a conservation project in South Malaita, made the call after it was alleged that villagers in east Are’are feared for their environment after the logging company destroyed two hectares of virgin mangrove forest.
“I want the ministry concerned, that is Environment as well as Forestry, to look into this issue, so that they can maybe halt the operation,” he said.
“Or maybe they can investigate how much biodiversity is there and how much it is being affected by the pollution going into that place,” the conservationist stated.
As a way of leading by example, the environmentalist said he is keen to carry out his own assessment on the company’s operational damages to the environment.
Mr Atitete stated that the company was told to assess the environmental impact of its operation in March and were supposed to inform landowners of its findings in April.
However, the Malaysian-owned company start its operation in March which leads to substantial damages to nearby community mangroves and marine.
In an earlier interview with this paper, Mr Atitete pointed out some interesting facts related to the site of operation.
“According to papers I have cited, the logging company should land at Sumasike, not Rurata.
“So their action in building the wharf and destroying our mangroves is illegal.
“Two hectares of thick mangroves forest has already been destroyed after one community allowed the logging company to build their wharf on land they are not supposed to enter.
“Not only that, since the arrival of MEGA logging company in the area, the community started to see some changes like the sea is now turning muddy and dark.
“The mangroves are now gone and the reefs are now left with no fish friendly habitats as the coral stones were being removed for the construction of the new wharf.
“I call on the Ministry of Forest to come and investigate this matter,” Mr Atitete said.
By SIMON ABANA
