BY JOHN HOAUANIHAU
Local conservationist Andrew Taraha has shared his biblical views of protecting God’s creation as logging takes its toll on destroying the country’s natural resources and damaging the environment.
Taraha, also the Kira Tribe conservation coordinator has been working with his community, the Kira tribe, to help them understand the importance and value of their land for the past years.
He has also worked with the tribal people of Kwaio in the high Land to help map their land as well as communities in the Are`Are Region.
“Today, I want to share my biblical perspective on protecting God’s creation and the tragedy of a tribal land destroyed by logging just a few kilometres from our Kira protected area,” said Taraha.
With deep sorrow, his people watch as their forests, rivers, and land are destroyed before their eyes.
“God entrusted us to be stewards of His creation, Genesis 2:15, yet greed and corruption have led many to sell the land for temporary gain, forgetting that what is lost can never be restored.
“The trees that once gave us life, the rivers that quenched our thirst, and the land that our ancestors cared for all are being sacrificed for money,” shared Taraha.
“But what does the word of God say? For the love of money is the root of all evil,1 Timothy 6:10,” he quotes.
Taraha also believed that money kills when it takes the place of God.
“Logging companies promise wealth, but what they leave behind is destruction. The forest, given to us by God, provides everything we need food, water, medicine, shelter, and protection. Yet, when the trees are cut down, the rivers polluted, and the land ruined, what will be left is hardship, Poverty and Suffering.
“One of our chiefs once said, I do not worry about money. I worry about my forest. Everything in the forest is free. But if the forest is gone, life will be hard. You cannot just think of now—you must think of tomorrow,” he said.
He also emphasised that the Bible warns against short-term thinking.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, Proverbs 13:22,” he quotes.
He said that the ancestors took care of the lands knowing that it was not only for them but for future generations, a sacred duty to protect what God has given.
Concern Taraha also shared how greed destroys God’s creation.
“Logging companies come like wolves in sheep’s clothing, Matthew 7:15, using money and deception to turn brother against brother. They manipulate our customary land processes, influencing leaders with bribes and false promises. Some chiefs, who were once guardians of the land, have fallen into temptation, forgetting that true wealth is found in God, not in money,” he said.
He stressed that when decisions are made without seeking wisdom, destruction follows.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” he said.
“God has given us dominion over His creation, but not to destroy it, Psalm 24:1. The earth does not belong to us—it belongs to the Lord, and we are its caretakers. If we sell what God has entrusted to us, we are like Esau, who traded his birthright for a bowl of stew, Genesis 25:29-34. He gained momentary pleasure but lost his inheritance forever.
“We do not need the wealth of logging companies. We need the richness of God’s blessings,” he said.
“We need our land, our water, our traditions. We need to protect our forests, not just for ourselves but for our children. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul, Mark 8:36.
“Let us stand firm. Let us choose life. For once the trees are gone, the water polluted, and the land barren money will not bring them back,” Taraha concluded.
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