CARBON TRADE, TALK OF THE FOREST
ON a clear day, the wide expanse of the huge Kamula Doso plains stretches for as far as the eye can see.
Even from a small aircraft, one is left to wonder at the size of this area that is also known as the Middle Fly District in the Western Province. Here for a long time, the Gogodala, the
Kamura and other ethnic groups roved the plains, fishing, hunting deer and other wildlife for their sustenance.
Then in the 70S, a dramatic change was introduced to the physical landscape of the plains with the logging of timber from the vast forest and today, logs from the Kamula Doso
comprises a big part of the log exports from Papua New Guinea.
The logging activities have existed for the last 30 or more years and the have experienced what these operations can do to their lives and their environment.
All at once, since 2007, there was excitement in the air, for talk went around that a new and exciting project was being introduced.
For now it is carbon trading that is the talk in the forest and the forest industry, not least because previously it was thought that the rich biodiversity in that huge plain was worthless
except for the trees that grow in abundance. Nupan (PNG) Trading Corporation, a company involved in carbon trading, went into the Kamula Doso area and had began work with the
people to preserve what is left of the pristine landscape and make some money from this environment.
Landowners were optimistic that they are involved in a project that can really transform their lives if everything goes well.
They want to be the first to sell carbon credits to save the earth from the impending doom expected from the effects of climate change.
Last week, the people openly expressed their feelings about the logging operations in their area and the excitement they feel about the pilot project they are involved with Nupan
(PNG) Trading Limited, a firm specialised in the new carbon trade industry.
“Look at me. I am from Kamula Doso and I am from the Kamura tribe. I have witnessed companies cutting my trees and taking my logs away for many years but I have not seen any
benefit.
“I want change, my people want change. We want to get out of this poverty and join the rest of the world. I want a better life.
“I do not want to live this way until I die, just like my parents and my grandparents who waited and waited for the promised benefits from the logging operations. I want a better life,
it is my right,” father of three Kikapi Diope said.
Kikapi Diope is from Pakiwa village. He belongs to the Kamure tribe which is one of the main tribes that live in the Kamula Doso forest management area in the Middle Fly district of
Western Province
Diope was emotional when he made this statement to a crowd of over 400 people from various Incorporated Landowner groups at Awaba Mission Station last Wednesday.
He was among the many that attended the meeting between representatives of Nupan (PNG) Trading Corporation and a group of independent experts, who were there to ensure
that the project met international standards on carbon trading.
Listening to him speak were the presidents of the four local level governments in the area. Among them was Akena Gamai, the president of the Bamu Local Level Government.
Gamai and his colleague presidents have thrown their weight behind their people and their MP, Roy Biyama to get the carbon trading business up and running because life has not
seem much change and at the same time, their natural environment was slowly being depleted, which saddens them because, like everywhere else in PNG, their culture is linked with
nature and the environment. From Awaba, the party flew north for Lake Campbell, tugged away in the midst of the thick rain forest a long way from Balimo. Post Courier learnt that it
took one week to walk to Woiwoi Falls and from there, a ride down the river for two days to get to Balimo to access government services. “Bra, mi tupelo wok hat tru and yu kisim
president na bihain yu kamap gavman, yu luisim mi long hia and yu go pinis.
Nau yu kam bek na yu lukim wanem? Mi stap olosem mi stap bifo tasol yu senis na kam long ples,” a father was speaking in hurried tones to Gamai.
Gami was hugging the man as he broke down and cried. The reason for the tears was obvious. So remote was this village that there was no government service at all. An airstrip
serves as the only link to the outside world.
“Balus save kam hia long wanwan taim,” Villager Peter Webi informed this correspondent.
Gami is adamant that the carbon trading project for Kamula Doso is the answer to his people’s plight.
if everything goes well, according to its the promoter, Nupan (PNG) Trading Corporation.
The villagers were told that the national government has thrown its support behind the carbon trading business.
Vice Minister for Environment and Conservation and MP for Middle Fly Roy Biyama told his people last Wednesday that the prime minister was responsible for carbon trading.
“It is being handled by the prime minister himself because of the importance of this industry. We cannot go wrong if we move and grab this opportunity that is offered by this new
industry,” Mr Biyama said. He said he had thrown his support behind the move to convert the Kamula Doso FMA into a carbon trading venture because this was the wish of the people.
“Because of this, all the local level governments – the Gogodala, Bamu, Nomad and Lake Murray – have all thrown their support behind this project. The leaders are behind you,” Mr
Biyama said.
Nupan Trading Corporation has been working with the people in the area to sell carbon credits from the Kaluma Doso FMA for the last three years.
The landowner formed an umbrella company – Tumu Timbers Limited – to work together with Nupan (PNG) Trading to kick start what will become PNG’s first carbon trading project.
In January 2008, the National Forest Service, in a letter to the parties, gave the green light to the landowners to go ahead with the venture.
“This (Kamula Doso) has been officially approved by the National Government as one of the 10 impact projects to be developed under the forest management agreement area for
selective logging to be carried out. “However, the logging operations in the area has not taken place as yet due to allocations process not being accomplished. It shall be up to the
landowners to pursue other development options such a carbon trading project,” Charles Rawali of the Allocation Branch wrote.
The project got the blessing from the Middle Fly Joint District Planning and Budget Priority Committee on 10th August 2008 when it resolved to accept the Kamula Doso carbon
conservation pilot project. “I foresee that the project establishment in my district marks another breakthrough as a model. It will lead to ultimate development of national carbon
trading policy, for which I support the process.
“I’d like to thank the landowners coorperation through incorporated land groups in establishing the commercial entity of Tumu Timbers Limited.
At the national level we represent the interest of the people of the electorate and speak for them, that they get the benefit to change their living standards. “We look forward in
your effort in securing financial arrangements and to see the project commence in the district and kick off,” Mr Biyama wrote to Nupan (PNG) trading on 31 August this year.
by PETER KORUGL
One Comments to “CARBON TRADE, TALK OF THE FOREST”
Amen to having this amazing blog full of environmental issues we should all pay attention to!
JJ/Nancy