Eco-Timber from the Forests of New Britain, Papua New Guinea

by Pacific Heritage Foundation

Partners:

Pacific Heritage Foundation (PHF) East New Britain Sosel Eksen Committee Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum (ICRAF) Forest Research Institute

Current Accomplishments

Community-based portable sawmill projects have been established in Mu, Illi and Murunga villages within the Project area, and a further sawmill project will be established at Merai village within the next month. In particular the project at Mu has been an outstanding success, and the project leader, Martin Katole, has been appointed as the Foundation's District Officer with the responsibility of overseeing all the projects in the area. Some of the tangible results at Mu include the construction and stocking of a village store, and the construction of a village guest house. Previously there would not have been the capital, nor probably the enthusiasm, for either of these projects.

The Biological Expedition conducted in 1995 with the assistance of the Christensen Research Institute and the National Museum, not only provided a substantial amount of base data but encouraged some lateral thinking amongst the landowners as to other values of their forest resources. We are now networked with a diverse group of scientists and students, and there will be a series of field updates over the coming year.

Successes and Challenges

"OK...So What?"

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