The Malaysian logging company Silvania Products has defended its operations at Marovo Lagoon, a world heritage site in Solomon Islands.
Silvania is developing land at Vangunu in Western Province at the rate of 2,500 hectares a year and says planting will start early next year.
The firm's managing director, Joseph Wong, says mill construction will start the following year and oil palm production will be under way in early 2008.
Mr Wong says critics who claim the operation will wreck Marovo Lagoon are being unfair and should go and have a look.
Mr Wong says that, on the contrary, the plantings will bring sustainable development.
"If we don't have the plantings like this or the economy of agricultural development in the area, people will still go for the timber. Even more of the area will be opened up for logging. What we do is we are trying to have a sustainable development with the participation of the people. Also, we are trying to get them involved in tree planting. I mean for the long term benefit for all the people."
Joseph Wong says Silvania Products has spent a total of six million US dollars on the development.
