id12910867435528

supplier accountpolaris

file namePolaris06031556.jpg

titleMalaysian logging controversy

subject date13-03-2017

place

creditPolaris

captionMarch 13, 2017 - Pos Gob, Kelantan, Malaysia: A fully laden logging truck at the side of the highway heading south. A stream of logging trucks can be found transporting logs cut in the Kelantan state forests. Logging is licensed by the forestry department of the state government but the land is contested by the indigenous 'Orang Asli', people who inhabit the forests. 'Orang Asli' is a collective term for indigenous people like the Temiar who are struggling to defend their forests with the help of civil society activists, against relentless state sanctioned logging and conversion to palm oil plantations. They continue to blockade logging roads into their community forests in an attempt to stop the logging which is devastating wildlife and livelihoods. Their blockades have been repeatedly torn down by forest department guards. (Rod Harbinson/Polaris)