The people of the Mortlock, Nuguria and Tasman islands in Bougainville want to be included in the relocation program undertaken by the Autonomous Bougainville Government as a response to rising sea levels.
The islanders say the relocation program should not just cover Carteret islanders but all the atolls. They said rising sea levels are now destroying their coastlines and food gardens.
Chairman of the Mortlock Island Council of Elders, Ahale Tekahu, said many food gardens were completely destroyed by king tides last year. Mr Tekahu said the islanders now had to rely mostly on taro and coconuts for survival.
On Tasman Island, houses are also threatened and chief David Poraka Teaku said the coastline was affected every year especially when there were strong winds.
Source: Post-Courier, 15 April 2009
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