CWM

Solomon Islands faces community crisis over logging

Thursday, 24 April 2008 10:21

For the people of the Solomon Islands the noise of chainsaws is the sound of self destruction.

United Church in Solomon Islands human resource development programme coordinator Rev Milton Talasasa says the impact of commercial logging has led to social and family breakdowns along with the environmental damage.

"Logging doesn't help communities, it only helps the logging companies and the very few chiefs who are paid by the companies," Talasasa says.

It is here the CWM-member United Church in Solomon Islands has stepped in.

"We encourage people not to allow their forest to be destroyed by logging. Instead they can seek other means of earning an income," he says. "We have programmes to teach them how to mill timber in a sustainable way and so they can build their own homes and also set up businesses selling the wood to the government for housing and projects or to private businesses."

The church also offers educational programmes in basic management skills and account keeping, along with training in using power tools, such as chain saws.

Talasasa says he would like to see logging in the Solomon Islands stopped altogether, but he also believes the logging companies have a social responsibility while they are operating.

"I would like to see real benefits, tangible benefits such as good roads, good electricity, and a good health system. Those people who have sold land should have better houses," he says.