DOMAVOLA Company Limited, a logging company, has decided not to proceed with operations in the rainforest on Vangunu, Marovo, Western Province.
Despite receiving a Development Consent from the Environment Advisory Committee (EAC) in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) in 2022, the company opted out due to strong opposition from the local Zaira community.
Thomas John Crawford, an Australian and Director of Renown Surf and Cargo Limited, the parent company of Domavola, confirmed this decision to the Solomon Star, Thursday.
According to Mr Crawford, the company’s decision was driven by the sustained resistance from the Zaira Community Resource Management Area (ZCRMA), which opposed logging activities on their land since 2020.
This opposition began when the Western Province government initially issued a timber rights license to Dokoso Lumber Company Limited.
Two prominent figures – a political appointee in the Official Opposition Office and a former Premier of Western Province, Wayne Maepio and a former Member of Parliament and businessman Bodo Dettke are directors of Dokoso Lumber Company Limited.
Mr Maepio also serves as one of the directors of Domavola Company Limited.
He emphasised that while the company had secured development consent through proper channels, it remained open to further consultations with the Zaira people to explore alternative development opportunities for the land.
“I respect the concerns regarding environmental impact. However, we must recognise that the core issue is land ownership,” Mr Maepio said.
The Zaira Community Resource Management Area (ZCRMA) has formally appealed the EAC’s decision to grant development consent to Domavola.
Director of the Environment and Conservation Division, Joseph Hurutarau acknowledged delays in addressing the appeal due to financial and logistical challenges in 2023.
However, Mr Hurutarau assured that the team aims to finalise the matter within the first quarter of this year and the outcomes will be presented to the EAC for further deliberation.
EAC Chairman Frank Wickham confirmed the committee’s readiness to review the appeal once the Environment and Conservation Division’s work is complete.
He said the new committee members would need orientation before the appeal process begins.
The ZCRMA encompasses both marine and terrestrial ecosystems and is home to unique wildlife, including the Vangunu giant rats, New Georgia monkey-faced bats and leatherback turtles.
The terrestrial area covers primary forest stretching from sea level to the rim of the Vangunu stratovolcano, including the Dokoso, Tavoamai and Suqili tribal land.
Its marine environment features a coral reef ecosystem plunging to depths of 500 metres.
Managed by the Dokoso, Kale Vangunu, Suqili, Tavoamai, Kadiki, and Veala tribal groups, the Zaira community depends on the area for hunting, gathering wild fruits and nuts, collecting water, and obtaining building materials.
Their primary objectives for the ZCRMA include:
- Protecting their homeland from logging and mining;
- Ensuring the sustainability of their way of life; and
- Safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Customary landowners from Zaira on Lupa Vangunu are at the forefront of efforts to preserve the island’s last old-growth rainforest.
Their campaign seeks to prevent the exploitation of this critical ecological area by commercial logging interests.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
