Women show their disappointment and rally support to stop logging operations at the community’s water source
LEADERS, women and youths of Koisisi in Isabel Province have shown true resilience and determination amidst despair and confusion.
I was at Koisisi Village on the 19th December 2023 and was informed that the community’s leaders were rallying community support to stage a peaceful protest.
I was curious so I pocked my nose into their discussion. I was told that the community’s only water source has been at risk as logging operation moved close to the stream where the community’s water source is located.
Having covered environment pollution and impact of climate change during my days at Island Sun, I paid close attention to the discussion.
That evening I realized that many communities in the rural area have suffered silently due to logging but fall silent due to lack of confidence to present their cases.
I walked toward the light and was spotted by the village chief. He asked for my advice and without objection I sat down with the leaders and discussed how to stage the protest without any negative feedback or legal repercussion.
That evening, we called Buala Police for approval but was not able to talk to the Provincial Police Commander.
We then finalized how the protest will be staged and went our separate ways for the night.
The next day, community leaders and other members of the community gathered at an uncomplete building close to where I slept.
This time I saw women joining force to stop the operation from entering the community’s water source.
We called Buala Police again and permission was granted.
After arrangements were done, Chief Bollen Rogenoda led the line followed by other leaders/ elders, women and children walking towards the logging camp which is few hundred meters from the village.
On the roadside a notice was pinned to two polls made from timbers. The notice reads “Stop Logging, Our water, Our Life.
After few minutes of walk, we came to the camp and a meeting was organized.
The meeting kicked off with speakers taking turn trying to put common sense to the issue.
The dialog with the Camp Manager came back positive with a promise to pull out all machineries at the area.
The Logging Company that operated at the area is called Maximus and is said to be owned by a Member of Parliament.
I heard rumors that there is something wrong with the company’s license to which I don’t want to speculate.
Wanting to know more, I spoke to Chief Bollen who said that the area has been identified as protected area and his community has an ongoing battle with previous loggers.
“We faced similar issues when previous logging companies operated here and it has become a nuisance to our community as logger has no respect for the environment let alone people who depend very much from natural resources to survive,” he said.
Chief Bollen said most streams close to Koisisi village has been polluted and the only stream that survived logging operation is the one that sourced the water to Koisisi village.
He said, the ongoing pressure to harvest the remaining virgin forest within Koisisi village’s water catchment area has put pressure on community leaders on how to protect their people from food shortage and also access to clean and healthy water.
Another risk that will add to the ongoing battle is mining.
According chief Bollen, he received reports that the government (caretaker) has sent officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy with couples of locals to a settlement near Koisisi.
“I was informed that a Mining Consultation was held at Poku settlement. Most of us (village Leaders) were not consulted for the consultation.
“I don’t know the outcome of the consultation but it is clear that the government is pushing it agenda to mine the land we rely to survive,” he said.
Chief Bollen said his people are under enormous pressure and unable to predict what will come next as the interest to mine minerals at the areas is increasing.
“I’m wondering where is the government’s position on this matter. Are our so-called leaders care for the people or not? It is obvious that the government is milking money at the expense of innocent people who live and feed on the natural resources,” he said.
Women Leader, Mrs Emma Anihi said women have felt the negative impact of logging.
She said women have to look far in search of food.
“Look at our mangroves, the mud where mud-shell and crabs live and breed are now covered with loss soil washed down from logging operation.
“Our stream and rivers are also polluted with milky color and that prawns, eels and fish we depend for protein are gone.
“Our lives have changed dramatically and we are unsure who to turn to for advice and protection.
“We felt that the government has forgotten us,” Anihi said.
From my trip, I found that Koisisi Village is sandwiched between two logging operations.
Scares of previous logging operations are visible and the devastations are enormous that people said some sea foods have slowly perishing.
Milky waters can be seen along the mangroves due to the existing logging operations at Poku and Koisisi.
It is obvious that Koisisi Village as well as other communities locate along the Thousand Ship Bay will feel the better of logging and mining operations in the future.
But what can these communities do to protect themselves?
Deceitful devils of the 21st Century
There are deceitful devils of the 21st century who always disregard common good in most of our communities hiding behind so-called economic development ambitions.
Their actions speak volume of how ignorance, arrogant, selfish and shallow minded.
These devils are roaming around devouring resource owners to destroy peaceful existence of community life and welfare of people.
Looking closely at what has been going on within the country, those who we define them as physically and mentally ill are better than those of us who called ourselves “well-educated”.
People are suffering silently and most of the country’s biodiversity have been lost on the hands of these deceitful devils.
The country’s virgin forests have gone, streams and lake have been polluted due to logging operations and now mining industry has becoming popular.
Shadow warriors armed by the state are going around lobbying support from landowners to allow mining operation on their land.
At the moment, this is popular in Isabel Province. A strong community leader can withstand the temptation of being a puppet of the deceitful devils.
21st International Convention on Environment
Recently, the United Nations passed a new bill of right and that is “The Right to clean, Safe and Healthy Environment”.
I understand that Solomon Islands is not a party to the treaty but the question is whether leaders will continue to ignore people plea or take immediate action to save the environment as well as creatures that inhabited the land and sea.
Story & photos
BY BEN BILUA
Freelance Environment Reporter
