PNG investigating timber companies
According to Clement Miria, writing in Papua New Guinea's pidgin newspaper Wantok, as many as 40 timber companies which are operating in the country without environmental plans will lose their operating permits on April 30.
This is the deadline for timber companies to submit their environmental impact plans. The Department of Environment and Conservation announced this in last November.
At least 39 companies do not have or have not properly followed environmental plans in their timber operations. Minister for environment and conservation Michael Singan said that these companies will be the first to receive notice of the loss of their operating permits. The notices will be sent to all companies which have not submitted proper environmental plans by May 1.
These timber companies and sawmills are either operating under the Local Forest Authority licence issued by provincial governments or the Timber Rights Purchase issued by the National Forest Department. Some of the companies may be logging outside of the two criteria.
[New Guinea Islands News and Campaign/Pegasus]