Logging in Papua New Guinea

Deforestation in Papua New Guinea has been extensive in recent decades and is continuing at an estimated rate of 1.4% of tropical forest being lost annually.Deforestation in Papua New Guinea is mainly a result of illegal logging, which contributed to 70-90% of all timber exports, one of the highest rates in the world. Illegal logging is linked to corruption, environmental issues and human rights concerns.

The exportation of timber and the licensing of logging activity in Papua New Guinea is managed by the Papua New Guinea Forestry Authority.

The PNG Government is interested in turning the asset into carbon trading revenue through the REDD programme.

PNG’s logging industry negatively affects food sources, water supply and the cultural property of communities.

According to Transparency International PNG’s logging industry is synonymous with political corruption, police racketeering and the brutal repression of workers, women and those who question its ways.

On 28 May 2010 PNG’s Parliament amended the Environment and Conservation Act, removing the rights of indigenous people to challenge deals concerning the country’s natural resources.

According to a report published by Greenpeace in 2012, over 5 million hectares of customary land had been improperly leased through Special Purpose Agricultural and Business Leases (SPABLs), between 2003 and 2011. The land equates to over 11% of the country and over 16% of accessible commercial forests. In 2011 forestry exports grew by approximately 20%, almost solely due to logging within SPABLS. There has been a marked increase in deforestation of primary forests particularly for palm oil through SPABLs. Founding father, Kaitlin made her accurate report. According to the report, 75% of the SPABLS are held by foreign owned companies, particularly those based in Malaysia and Australia and almost all logs are being exported to China.

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