PNG Supreme Court Stays Logging Decision

The Papua New Guinea
Eco-Forestry Forum

Media Release

Supreme Court stays logging decision

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a stay on a decision of the National Court that would have led to logging rights being granted to Rimbunan Hijau.

The stay is in relation to attempts by Rimbunan Hijau to obtain a timber permit for the huge Kamula Doso concession in Western Province as an extension to its Wawoi Guavi operation.

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum commenced legal proceedings last year challenging Court orders made in legal proceedings between Rimbunan Hijau and the National Forest Authority.

In those proceedings, Rimbunan Hijau and the Forest Authority had agreed a timber permit for Kamula Doso was to be granted as an extension to Rimbunan Hijau's existing Wawoi Guavi timber permit.

The National Court endorsed that agreement but the Supreme Court has now placed a Stay on the courts approval.

The Supreme Court on Friday also rejected an application by Rimbunan Hijau to have the Eco-Forestry Forum provide security for its costs. The judge found the Forum is a substantial organisation and Rimbunan Hijau had not established any special circumstances to warrant the order.

In granting the stay to the Forum the court found the National Forestry Authority is a public body with a public duty to allocate forest resources according to a valid National Forest Plan.

The court also stated the National Forest Board has a duty to ensure the Forest Authority implements the requirements of the Forestry Act.

The Forum alleges the Forest Authority is failing to allocate resources according to a valid National Forest Plan and failing to ensure forest resources are sustainably managed.

The Forum is concerned about this tend as it poses a threat to our forests and the rural communities that directly depend on the forests.

ENDS

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