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This photo slide show contains images of the logging industry going strong
in the Chocó region. These photos were taken from the roadsides while
traveling for approximately just 20 kilometers on my way to the community
of Selve Alegre. The amount of cut logs, timber, logging trucks, and heavy
machinery that we see over such a short distance is staggering.
The communities that have agreed to logging contracts on their land do so
out of desperation because of their lack of alternatives for work, income,
or food. However, more and more often, we are hearing of illegal timber extraction
in the area as well. Pressure on community leaders by logging intermediaries
have been increasing intensely since the beginning of 2007. Sometimes these
"pressures" put on community leaders are violent in nature, some
receiving death threats if they do not sign a logging contract.
The Chocó Rainforest Protection Project is working hard to provide
communities with sustainable alternatives so they do not have to destroy their
forests to survive. Currently, there are only about 12 communities left in
the Esmeraldas province that have not done any logging. We are focusing our
strongest efforts on these communities because of their commitment thus far
to preserving their forests. It is our hope that with our projects in place,
this will help empower community leaders to maintain their stand against the
increasing pressures from the logging companies.
