PNG Forest Authority ( PNGFA)‘s Managing Director John Mosoro has called on landowners throughout the country to partner with the authority and plant more trees under government’s ‘Painim Graun – Planim Diwai’ ( Find Land – Plant trees) program.
Mr Mosoro appealed especially to genuine landowners to take part in the ‘Painim Graun – Planim Diwai’ (Find land – Plant trees) government program which will give them greater benefits through equity participation.
MD Mosoro said the program will be a win – win solution for all Forest stakeholders. The government – landowners – people and industry. It will promote tree planting and reforestation and carbon trade as PNG forests are globally known to be the last tracts of pristine rainforests in the world and the lungs of Mother Earth.
Mr Mosoro made the call when presenting the keynote address on behalf of Forest Minister Salio Waipo to foresters, landowners and community at the launching of the Bulolo – Wau New Forestry Plantation Extension Program last Thursday (1 October, 2025). The launching concluded PNGFA’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
Mr Mosoro said a total of 12,500 hectares of trees have been planted and sustained at the Bulolo Wau Forestry plantations which is currently being harvested by the PNG Forests Products who are processing and production of plywood, sawn timber and veneer products since after the Gold rush in the 1940s and World War 2.
“ We are looking at a target of 800, 000 hectares of land to plant trees. I want to commend the landowners of Bulolo and Watut for agreeing to take part in the government forestry Refforestation program of ‘ Painim Graun – Planim Diwai,”
“We are getting the landowners consent – especially those that can give degraded land or grasslands to plant trees and get into downstream processing “ MD Mosoro said.
“In Bulolo we are replanting three species of pine trees – the Pinus Carabea, Hoop and Klinkii, Mr Mosoro said.
MD Mosoro said PNGFA and the Bulolo landowners will sign an agreement for the LO’s to take up equity shares in the project which will be operated by PNGFA’s business arm – PNG Diwai Holdings Limited.
Mr Mosoro stressed that the forestry sector is an important sector which is renewable and sustainable and will sustain itself in the future unlike oil, gas and gold resource which will be gone.
“That is why forestry is a God given value to us. We are managing forests that God has created to sustain our lives on earth. Forests are the lungs of the earth. If we make the wrong policies we will end up destroying our planet earth, “ Mr Mosoro said.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil Junior was also a guest speaker at the launch. He commended PNGFA for its support to the Bulolo community and town.
“We call this a town because of you PNGFA. Let me represent my people and acknowledge the work of the government under this plantation program and associated activities.
“Forestry has created employment and income for our people. Although we do have social and land issues and would like to call for a review of the initial agreement,” MP Basil said.
MD Mosoro responded and agreed that there will be a review of the Bulolo plantation agreement.
Mr Mosoro also announced on behalf of the Forest Minister Salio Waipo that K 2 million will be given to MP Basil as Log Export Development Levy LEDL to assist fund the Refforestation projects and support community projects in Bulolo.
“It is a real pleasure to come to Bulolo to witness the launch of our new Forestry Plantation Extension and Refforestation program which is the very core of forestry business,” MD Mosoro said.
Board Member of PNGFA Stephen Yanopa ( Board Representative for the Forest Communities) who represented Board Chairlady Faith Barton described MD Mosoro as an important man in forestry in PNG who is at the forefront of driving the forestry reforms.
Mr Yanopa said without MD Mosoro’s advice and action – the PNGFA would not be implementing the reforms and the current positive and sustainable initiatives.
Mr Yanopa said since Independence forestry has contributed a lot to the economy and development of PNG and will continue to do so in the future.
The event was celebrated with singing, traditional dancing and food sharing by the Bulolo Forestry officers,family and the community. There was also a tree planting exercise. The occasion was enjoyed by all that participated.