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Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Logging Operations in the Vanimo Timber Area, Sadaun Province, Papua New Guinea

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Logging Operations in the Vanimo Timber Area, Sadaun Province, Papua New Guinea

MAY 1999

Forests Monitor Limited and Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum Inc. (ICRAF).

With additional financial support from Pro Regenwald (Muenchen, Germany) and the Rainforest Foundation Norway.

Summary:

An environmental and social impact assessment of the Vanimo Timber Area was conducted in early May 1999. This assessment found that:

  • The WTK Reality Group of Malaysia through their operation of Vanimo Forest Products (VFP) has violated at least 13 of the key standards from the PNG Logging Code of Practice.
  • VFP has failed to fully comply with the Project Agreement concerning the Vanimo Timber Area.
  • The East-West Highway has never been completed by VFP.
  • Poor quality road and bridge construction has severely limited development and transport options for people in the Vanimo region.
  • Culturally significant areas, including gravesites, have been negligently damaged by VFP.
  • A fledgling palm seed export business has been threatened by VFP.
  • Sediment and nutrient runoff from negligent logging operations have damaged stream ecosystems.
  • Clean water sources near villages for drinking and processing sago have been damaged by VFP.
  • Undersized logs are regularly cut from the forests.
  • Extensive damage from logging operations has retarded the regeneration capacity of the forest.
  • Sago palms have been damaged by logging operations.
  • The time taken for villagers to find food sources in the forests have increased.
  • Malnutrition, low birth weight babies, malaria and sexually transmitted diseases have become more common in the region.
  • Limited numbers of local men and no local women are employed by VFP.
  • Birds of Paradise and New Guinea Pigeons are reportedly smuggled out on the logging boats.
  • Police have been used to protect the interests of VFP.
  • The Forestry Authority has not enforced the PNG Logging Code of Practice.

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