From Joey Tau writing on PNG Edge

There is a need for proper awareness on logging as there are claims that a lot of illegal activities are taking place in rural areas, says a community field worker from Madang’s Middle Ramu District.
 
Mark Bayyom, from Simbar in Middle Ramu district, Madang, does voluntary outreach awareness on forest conservation.
 
He says he has visited a number of districts in Morobe, Madang, East Sepik, including Sandaun, and has seen a lot of forests been cut down for small payments in the form of cash or other items he termed as “non-beneficial for the long term”.   
 
Bayyom says he has been raising awareness in his area of Middle Ramu and most times it has brought about a lot of confusion among locals when he talks about the benefits of conserving forests over short term benefits of logging.
 
“People in rural areas need this type of information because ol stap lo rural areas wer nogat gutpla gavman sevis i kamap lo ples blo ol…so taim ol kongkong sa go sowim moni ol aigris samtin, ol sa go het na givim tokorait lo katim forest blo ol,” said Bayyom.
 
He said he is not against development but he wants the best form of development that can benefit the present generation and sustained for generations to come.
 
“I talk about cutting down trees and the need to replant because loggers are only interested in cutting down our forest…so what I want for my people in these rural areas is to tap into development initiatives, but not the type that will destroy our land,” said Bayyom.
 
He says he has found his job as a community field worker challenging because loggers are against him.
 
“Mi laikim olsem ol pikinini na pikinini blo ol to have the same forest that I enjoy…the forest that I get food from, the same forest that has cared for my ancestors, and the same forest that I source materials or medicine from today. I want better for the future.”