Customary Land

Research Case Studies Reveals Abuse of Forest Clearing Authority License

Submitted by Cathy Tukne on Wed, 05/06/2024 - 13:18

A Forest Clearance Authority license is a type of logging licence issued by Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, based on the recommendation of the PNG Forest Management Committee with the consent of the National Forest Board that allows individuals or companies for large scale conversion of a specific areas of forest to agriculture or other land use activities.

Where's the Beef? The Wasu Cattle Farm Project

Submitted by Cathy Tukne on Wed, 29/05/2024 - 16:51

The Wasu Cattle Farm Project in Morobe Province has been the subject of investigation due to concerns about its legality. This project, also known as the Wasu Integrated Agriculture Project, received a Forest Clearing Authority (FCA) in 2019. It was ostensibly granted for a cattle farming project, but there have been no signs of either cattle or agriculture.

Govt goes off track in MTDP IV log export targets

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 21/05/2024 - 13:17

The Marape Government is not on track to meet it’s log export reduction goals as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan IV. 

In 2022, the Government announced a ban on all round log exports in the next 3 to 5 years, with the intention to increase local downstream processing to promote greater employment, increase GDP and boost government revenues. 

The log export data shows an export of 2.2million cubic meters in 2023. 

Govt off track in meeting MTDP IV log export targets

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 21/05/2024 - 00:00

The Marape Government is not on track to meet it’s log export reduction goals as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan IV. 

In 2022, the Government announced a ban on all round log exports in the next 3 to 5 years, with the intention to increase local downstream processing to promote greater employment, increase GDP and boost government revenues. 

The log export data shows an export of 2.2million cubic meters in 2023. 

This is well over the full year target set in the MTDP IV of 1.695 million cubic meters. 

REPORT: PNG Forestry laws insufficient to combat forest crime

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 15/05/2024 - 05:51

Image: Greenpeace

The Forestry Act and other parts of the forestry law framework in Papua New Guinea are insufficient to combat widespread illegal logging and forest crime. 

Therefore, greater emphasis needs to be placed on using criminal law sanctions, both in PNG and internationally, to tackle the illegal destruction of forest resources and the economic, social and environmental harm it causes.

Govt must act on continued abuse of Forest Clearance Authorities

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 08/05/2024 - 09:21

The government must act to stop the ongoing abuse of agricultural clearing permits which are being used as a cover for large-scale selective logging.

Forest Clearing Authorities are being routinely misused to facilitate large-scale illegal and unsustainable logging. They are supposed to be used to authorise the clearing of small discrete areas of forest for agriculture planting but this concession type is now responsible for the largest share of PNG’s log exports, according to government statistics.