Only the Amazon and Congo basins rival Papua New Guinea for pristine tropical wilderness. But 5 million hectares of jungle is under threat from land grabs and logging. The Government is under pressure to tear up illegal leases – but the chainsaws haven’t paused. (Please excuse this dodgy archive link – following the eradication of … Continue reading
Pacific islanders have always been sustained by the ocean. Might it now make them rich? And at what cost? Jo Chandler reports from New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, on the world-first commercial project to mine the deep sea bed. https://web.archive.org/web/20150318111209/http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/mining-the-abyss/760/index.html Continue reading
Foreign treasure hunters have descended on the battle-scarred and economically bereft Pacific island of Bougainville, as jockeying for its natural riches intensifies. Hot on their trail: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police. By Jo Chandler https://web.archive.org/web/20140825065236/http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/canadian-mounties-investigating-on-bougainville/753/index.html Continue reading
Chewing betel nut is a sociable, buzzy distraction from the day’s burdens for rich and poor alike in Papua New Guinea. Its trade is also an economic lifeline. So why is an ambitious politician risking his career by chewing over prohibition? By Jo Chandler https://web.archive.org/web/20150318111223/http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/off-their-nut-in-png/711/index.html Continue reading
Australia is to send its asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea where those found to be refugees will be resettled. But, reports Jo Chandler, the policy shift has sparked concern and some anger in the new host nation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23598226 – 9 August, 2013. BBC News Asia Continue reading
(Photograph by Vlad Sokhin) Sister Gaudentia knew immediately the spectacle the excited children were rushing to see. They were on their way to a witch-burning. There are many names for dark magic in the 850 tongues of Papua New Guinea, sanguma resonating widely in these mountains. The 74-year-old sister hurriedly rounded up some of her staff, … Continue reading
(Photograph by Stuart McEvoy) ‘Women would come to me and put their heads on my shoulder or hold my hand,’ recalls Governor Julie Soso. They said ‘Julie, we need you to get in there (the Parliament), because we can’t continue to walk with our rice bag and kerosene and cooking oil and salt from that … Continue reading
Notebook & Narrative by Jo Chandler 