Pacific

The battle to save the forests of the Solomons' Nende

05:02 am on 3 June 2019

In one of the remotest parts of Solomon Islands landowners and environmental activists are struggling to stop what they say is illegal logging by a Malaysia based  company.

The company, Xiang Lin Solomon Islands Ltd, is logging primary forest on Nende or Santo Cruz island in Temotu Province, the eastern most point of Solomon Islands.

Last year a group of five residents were charged with offences accusing them of burning the equipment of the logging company.

Louise Hunt is a reporter for the American environmental news website, Mongabay, and she has been covering the plight of the group she has dubbed the Nende Five.

She says they remain in custody, awaiting a trial process that has already been adjourned 29 times for want of evidence.

Ms Hunt told Don Wiseman the Nende Five is adamant they didn't commit the crimes they are accused of.

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NASA picture of Nende, known also as Santa Cruz, in Solomon Islands' Temotu province. Photo: NASA