People in between: A case study on the Kumil Timber Project, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

The description and discussion of a definite example of a regional project related to "development" and timber extraction in the tropical rainforest in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea presents an opportunity to illustrate actual transformation processes concerning the situation of indigenous populations, land rights, economic development, environmental issues and national integration.

Projects of timber utilization have to deal not only with forestry but also with legal, political, economic and socio-cultural domains. This document will draw attention to the hitherto unexplored complexity of timber utilization.