The operations of start-up logging company, Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) will have to be in line with forest conservation strategies, says Deputy Commissioner of Forests Tashreef Khan and many questions were asked of the Indian company on Thursday in the Rupununi.

The company wants to start logging in the concession it took over from Simon and Shock Inc and has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for authorization to commence. The EPA held a public scoping meeting in Annai, Region Nine on Thursday and residents as well as representatives from conservation organizations active in the bio-diversity rich area raised several issues. The meeting is part of the process of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) which is required before the operation can be approved.

As several questions, including about the impact on livelihoods and the environment from the operations were raised, Director of Vaitarna Chetan Narayan assured the meeting that as …..