THE only way of stopping the export of tubi round logs from Solomon Islands is to educate landowners to stop harvesting and cutting down tubi in their respective areas.
This was follows the increase harvesting and export of this tree species.
A well placed government source who wished not to be named made the call following reports of another shipment of Tubi round logs arriving in Honiara from San Jorge, Isabel province, awaiting export.
“As long as people continue harvesting or cutting down tubi, loggers, businesses and even the government will continue to export them, despite whatever restrictions put in place.
“The only right means of stopping this unwanted export is for landowners to stop cutting down the trees.
“Just stop cutting down tubi in order to stop its export,” he said.
This week Southern Pacific Wood Trading Ltd, explained that they did not log on San Jorge but rather only bought tubi round logs from landowners.
Their 50 containers were ceased by the commissioner of forests and then exported, meaning its export will be for the Solomon Islands government with landowners expected to receive portions of the benefits.
The source also revealed to this paper that landowners that not only loggers will be drawn in to find market for already cut down tubi round logs, but also it may stir political interference by some parliamentarians.
“As long as tubi is cut and available, loggers and politics will definitely interfere in trying to export it.
“Therefore to stop it, tubi should be left alone and not chopped period,” the source said.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
