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EspañolPapua New Guinea: Protecting indigenous communities on Woodlark Island
Papua New Guinea: Protecting indigenous communities on Woodlark Island
"For the first time, the government has put people before profits! Thank you for assisting us with the information requested. A lot of people worked behind-the-scenes on this issue and the information you provided was powerful!"
Effrey Dademo
PNG Eco-forestry Forum
Woodlark Island, Papua New Guinea (Photo: www.galenfrysinger.com
A Malaysian company proposed a 60,000 hectare oil palm estate for the tiny tropical island of Woodlark, 130 miles off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The project includes a $300 million plant to convert palm oil into bio-diesel for international markets. ELAW partners at the PNG Eco-forestry Forum are working with local landowners who actively oppose the project.
ELAW provided its partners with information about the hazardous emissions and wastewater discharges from palm oil plants. After the PNG government learned of these and other concerns, they shelved the proposal.
In a statement to the media, the Minister for Agriculture said, "...the government will respect the wishes of the local landowners and will not go ahead with a project that the landowners do not want..."
