Source: Special Correspondent

The Jubilee research report on Bougainville launched in late August has caught wide attention abroad and in the autonomous region. In what seems as a shock for the Australian public to find that there is greater opposition to the reopening than expected, critiques however; seem unwilling to agree on the report, which apparently contains quoted voices of those living in the ruins of a mining town coupled with a completely decimated and toxic environment.

Picture: Oro Governor, Gary Juffa

Article Source: Post Courier

Large scale logging in the country has done more damage than good in the rural areas, those affected are often suppressed and threatend by foreign loggers using local police to thier benefit, Oro Governor Gary Juffa said yesterday.

Sime Darby is infamous for illegal land clearing, violent clashes with local communities, illegal forest fires and for threatening the last orangutan habitats.

Source: Special Correspondent

Source: Pacific Business News

The PNG Forest Authority will not take responsibility and stop logging in Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) areas despite overwhelming evidence the logging is unlawful, says community activist group ACT NOW!

"We have met with the Managing Director, Kanawi Pouru, and senior managers and made a detailed submission but they seem more interested in protecting the interests of the foreign logging companies than defending the rights of local people", says Program Manager, Effrey Dademo.

On 26 September ACT NOW! led a delegation to meet with the Managing Director of the PNG Forest Authority and his senior managers to explain to them why the Forest Clearance Authorities issued by the Authority are null and void and should be cancelled.

The Forest Clearance Authorities have been issued to allow clear felling of forests in areas leased from customary landowners under Special Agriculture and Business Leases.

Source: PNG Mine Watch

The Panguna Landowners Association (PLA) has gone quiet lately in its activities and the Bel Kol initiative has reached a complete standstill. What is currently in undertaking with this landowner association is unknown.

On the other hand, there is the rise of another association called the Osikaiang Landowners Association (OLA). Seen in commentaries on this blog, the person at the fore of this association is non-other than former chairman of Panguna Landowners Association Lawrence Daveona.

Prabindra Singh - Network of Asian and Pacific Producers Board Member visits PNG for the first time.

Source: Fairtrade Australia

Source: PNG Mine Watch