GOV’T NOW RESTRICTS ISSUING OF LOGGING LICENSES
Marovo in the Western Province logged out and idle. Photo credit: Japan Focus.
The National Government now restricts issuing new logging licenses to loggers.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo made the statement during the second Oceania Leaders Summit in New Caledonia yesterday.
Prime Minister Lilo says the country used to rely heavily on log and timber exports for its foreign revenue earning and experienced clear felling and deforestation to its forest since 1978.
He says such actions must change if the country is to protect its environment.
Mr Lilo adds, any new licenses to any interested logging companies would have to comply with the international best practice of harvesting in this industry.
He says the country has also adopted sustainable forestry practices, focusing on planting of new seedlings- in areas heavily logged.