LIFE ON THE RIVER

We were on the river about four hours a day, traveling from one village to the next - although passing several others along the way. The banks were frequently lined with houses on stilts. The exception was a patch of the jungle totally denuded by a Chinese lumber company. I was told by one villager that it was an illegal operation, and many said it was because of corrupt politicians; and the local people didn't benefit. From the size of the operation it was clear they plan to take out many acres - threatening the livelihoods of the locals, and damaging our world ecosystem.