Women and children in East Makira’s Nasuahu community block loggers, highlighting urgent need for forest protection.
The need to legally protect the Yato forests in East Makira has become increasingly urgent this month after women and children from the Nasuahu community confronted alleged illegal logging in their food gardens and surrounding forest.
Led by Yato Forest Ranger Roselyn Rahea and her aunt, Daisy Muri, community members physically blocked logging operations in a human protest aimed at stopping further damage to the land. “There were no male leaders at the community since they had left for Honiara to join the Catholic Fathers’ program,” said Martha Saunana from Live and Learn Solomon Islands, after speaking with Roselyn and Daisy.
According to the women, the logging company had already caused significant damage before being stopped, including the clearing of vital forest gardens and the felling of trees near the proposed protected area — land where timber rights remain under dispute. “I felt saddened by the damaged food gardens we greatly depend on,” said Roselyn.
“We saw the destruction of our resources as something so dear and important to us just as when our beloved young are unwell or sick — there is both the feeling of fear, worriedness and eagerness to move forth in communicating with the company workers to stop working,” she added. Daisy, who supported the protest, emphasized the loss of critical food sources. “This means shortage of food when those crops were due to be harvested and, most importantly, we now have to start all over again,” she said.
The Nasuahu women’s actions have garnered support from the Makira Ulawa Council of Women, who met in Kirakira last week to discuss the situation and broader issues women face from logging operations. “Logging-related issues that involve women and girls is a big concern as logging exploitation is beyond control in this province,” said Women’s Council President Edith Kaoho in an interview with SBM.
Stakeholders at the meeting included provincial government officials, women’s groups, community leaders, police, and conservation advocates. They united in recognizing the threats faced by Nasuahu and the need for immediate intervention.
Nasuahu is one of five communities involved in the Yato Conservation Area project, which is working towards the official protection of nearly 12,000 hectares of rainforest in East Makira. Part of this forest is intended to become part of a conservation carbon project, offering an alternative to logging and supported by Live and Learn Solomon Islands and Nakau.
Roselyn, who has received ranger and monitoring training as part of this project, used her skills to organize the blockade and raise awareness about the situation. As discussions continue to find short-term solutions, advocates stress the urgent need for the formal protection of the Yato forest to prevent further environmental and community harm.
SOURCE: Live And Learn
