I was disheartened when I saw the trees, some had been cut down, stacked and left there. These trees were sacred to myself and my family. The young generation will not have their stories. Thaypan families were told the operation would be sustainable forest management that would create jobs. However, most of the work was performed by contractors. Oga Alugul co-director Thomas Houghton tried in vain to control the logging. I was supposed to survey monitor the trees for cultural significance, he said. Mr Houghton said the loggers ignored his warnings within the first fortnight. Six weeks later he left the operation, feeling disenfranchised.