Dear Editor – Logging Threat!
Isabellians of Maringe/Bugotu, will it never stop?
The last of our virgin forest is under threat of logging and it is none other than the national and provincial governments who have given the say so.
The few greedy people who have no concern for our future generations are selling off their rights to our natural forests to a company called Solomon Timber Limited.
The above company was granted a licence to log in the Bugotu to rearing areas from Tatamba to Garanga on 20th March 2017 by the commissioner of forests from Honiara and approved by the Provincial Government of Isabel.
The land under threat is the Leva custom land. This area of land stretches from above Titiro to Koregu and further. If it is a custom land, why allow it?
From the map of Isabel that was sighted, the designated area for logging includes a lot of waterways- streams and rivers, conservation areas and a considerable number of communities and villages.
These will be affected.
There has not been any proper consultations done with villages that will be affected and the few villages that meetings were held in had no positive response.
All were against logging and questioned the validity of the licence given.
Another scenario such as the one in Hograno cannot be repeated here. So, commissioner of forests and the premier and heads of Isabel province halt the logging now!
I am also concerned about the conservation areas that will be affected.
One way of income generation for the communities- eco-tourism through conservation sites.
People get to see our Flora and Fauna in their natural habitats. When we allow logging to come in, we lose all or most of the Flora/Fauna in our forests.
The Haevo Kulano conservation Area is in the area chosen for logging. Kulano’s or leatherback turtles are an endangered species of turtles.
Haevo is the main resting site and largest beach area for the leatherback turtles. The turtles come up to lay their eggs on the beach.
Leatherbacks are fast decreasing in number through hunting and poaching of eggs as well as threats like logging.
If no major development like logging disrupts the resting cycle of the leatherbacks, it will be a future tourism site for environmental enthusiasts.
Instead of logging which is quick money obviously and most destructive, let’s find another way of earning money through our eco tourism ventures like Inviting tourists to our endangered species’ habitats- whether terrestrial or marine.
This will involve keeping our natural forests intact.
Isabellians why are we so complacent? Let us speak out! It is time to speak out! Enough is enough! Stop Logging Now!
I would like to ask the provincial Government why no proper consultation was done and why no Timber right hearings?
Please leaders do the right thing and you will find favours in your own people. Consult and listen to your people. Their wishes are important.
A map will be printed out in a later issue!
Keep in touch.
Judith Siota
Bunotakosa Women
