Countries

Click on the map below to access greater detail on our Melanesian partners. Search for information relating to each of the countries represented in MILDA including academic articles and news items.

The vast majority of land in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is customary land which is protected under the constitution. However in recent years, pushes to reform land tenure have led to a land grab, with a significant amount of land being grabbed by foreign corporate interests. Mining, logging and agricultural (particularly palm oil) companies are behind some of the push for land reform, attracted to PNG by the abundance of minerals and native forests. These industries represent serious threats to the Indigenous peoples of PNG, their lives, livelihoods and the environment.

Key themes:

Land Reform
Mining

Active groups:

Bismark Ramu Group

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands constitution protects customary ownership of land and 87 per cent of the land remains under customary tenure. Significant pressure for land reform comes from the push to open up land for the growth and export of commodities such as palm oil. Many parts of the Solomon Islands also contain rare and valuable hardwoods which have attracted loggers to the area. Like all parts of Melanesia, the forests and oceans of the Solomon Islands contain incredible biodiversity and unique habitats not found anywhere else in the world and also provide food and resources for the indigenous peoples of those areas.

Key themes:

Mining
Traditional Economy

Vanuatu

In Vanuatu the majority of land is still held under indigenous customary tenure systems, which are recognised and protected by the national constitution.

Key themes:

Active groups:

Vanuatu Cultural Centre

Search form

You are here

Countries

Fiji

Papua New Guinea

Key themes:

Active groups:

Solomon Islands

Key themes:

Vanuatu

Key themes:

Active groups: