***********************************************
PAPUA
NEW GUINEA RAINFOREST CAMPAIGN NEWS
Agro-Forestry
Projects Get Tougher Guidelines
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Forest
Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises
5/29/96
OVERVIEW
& SOURCE by EE
_The
Independent_ reports on overdue legislation to more carefully regulate
the
whole batch of new proposed "Agro-forestry" projects. This is an
article
from _The Independent_ posted in econet's reg.newguinea conference.
g.b.
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RELAYED
TEXT STARTS HERE:
/*
Written 12:03 AM May 29, 1996 by
drobie@pactok.peg.apc.org in
igc:reg.newguinea
*/
/*
---------- "Agro-forestry" ---------- */
Subject:
046 Agro-forestry projects
To:
David Robie Of: 90:675/100.6
From:
drobie@pactok.peg.apc.org Of: 90:900/900.
Date:
27/5/96 12:50:14 AM
-------------------------------------------
Title
-- Agro-forestry projects get tougher guidelines
Date
-- 24 May 1996
Byline
-- Harlyne Joku
Origin
-- Asia-Pacific Network
Source
-- The Independent (PNG), 9 May 1996
Copyright
-- The Independent
Status
-- Abridged
-----------------
AGRO-FORESTRY
PROJECTS GET TOUGHER GUIDELINES
By
Harlyne Joku
Stringent
guidelines are now being set for the issuance of timber
uthorities
for large-scale agro-forestry projects currently being
negotiated.
Controversial
projects such as Damansara in West Sepik, and Kikori Agro
forest
project in the Gulf province, and others in the pipeline are being
targeted.
These
projects have proposed to clear large scale forests to grow oil palm.
Timber
authorities allow the exercise of harvesting rights which have been
directly
acquired from the landowners from these project areas.
They
are isuued by provincial forest ministers on the recommendation of the
provincial
forest ministers on the recommendation of the provincial forest
management
committee, and with the consent of the National Forest Board.
In a
115-page booklet compiled by the PNG Forest Authority, key concern
areas
touched on by the guidelines in relation to agricultural clearing are
that:
* The
project is genuine.
*
Clearing is confined to those areas required for immediate agricultural
development
or other land use.
*
Agricultural projects involving joint ventures between landowners and
developers
should be carefully examined to ensure that the proposed
arrangements
are commercially fair to landowners.
*
Landowners have been fairly treated and have been given proper informed
consent
to the project. They emphasise the need for joint venture
arrangements
to be properly scrutinised since there have been experiences
of
landowners entering into unfair arrangements without independent advice.
* There
are no significant environmental risks associated with the project.
###RELAYED
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