Chapter-3 Congo Basin, 0.60°S, 17.77° E Basecamp-Golden Logging Timber Company

The logging company's parent basecamp seemed busy. Several log loaders were seen pacing back and forth unloading logs from the top of dozens of large logging trucks queuing up at the log pond.

The sound of freshly cut large logs bumping to each other was like a heavy metal concert on a giant stage without an audience. Timber originated from the interior of the wilderness in the Congo Basin region would be transported by giant barges to Dolosi. A city center for the wood processing industry which was about 160 km from Pointe Noire.

The Congo Basin tropical forest was the second largest in the world after the Amazon. Many logging companies operated in this timber haven. Although most of them were legal, the supervision from the authorities was so loose that sometimes the trees were being cut where it was not supposed to be harvested.

There was a lively conversation in the basecamp office discussing plans to harvest timber in the permitted blocks.

"The potential is rather slim in the remaining 5 blocks this year, sir!" the deep voice of the logging manager named Adisa started the discussion.

"Yes, yesterday the cruiser team went to the basecamp. Their survey indicates that we will get no more than 40 cubic meters per hectare if we continue cutting down the 5 blocks." Another voice amplified.

A survey manager named Essien.

"Hmm, so what should we do gentlemen?" This time it was the question that, judging by his tone, was the decision maker. A middle-aged Caucasian man often called Mister Bob. A European man who has worked in the Congo lumber industry for more than 30 years.

"Before leaving a month ago, I told another cruiser team to check the next block, sir. And this is much more promising. 100 cubic meters per hectare!" Adisa's deep voice chimed with excitement.

Silence struck the room. Everyone was startled hearing such incredible number.

"So, shall we turn?" Another question from Mister Bob urged for consideration from others.

Adisa and Essien looked at each other. Their eyes seemed to agree. And simultaneously the two of them looked at the fourth person in the room who had been silent all this time. The head of the survey, Fabumi, a Congolese native of the Azande ethnicity.

"Sorry to interfere, gentlemen. Indeed, the potential for timber in the area is enormous and very profitable for the company. But keep in mind that the area is across the river and very close to Cuvette Centrale. That area is protected by the government. And since it is the largest carbon sinks in the world, I bet we will be under international scrutiny."

The room was quiet again. Dealing with the government was easy enough for Mister Bob. But if the international community has recognized this very potential place, it meant a red flag for the company.

But 100 cubic meters per hectare of 10 thousand hectares? Damn! What the hell!

"We'll start from the middle. Leave the riverbanks area to make it less visible. Prepare a pontoon for equipment crossing, Adisa! Let's start tomorrow!" a decision was made.

Fabumi was startled with irritating thoughts. It was not just Cuvette's problem really. But the area was where the primitive Pygmies forage. Where else should they go if their place of livelihood was deforested? Moreover, the area was a habitat for a rare native African tree called Afrormosia.

Fabumi felt his body went weak. His subordinates should not have reported the actual data to Adisa. Alas!

Following Mister Bob's orders, the next day there was a massive mobilization of heavy equipment and workers to the forest across the river which was about 50 km from the basecamp.

They moved 90% of their equipment and workers to start the work. They did not need to spend their time building living quarters. All they needed to do was pulling their mobile camps with them and setting them anywhere they wished.

It took only 2 days for Mister Bob's experienced team to complete the preparation phase.

The next day, heavy equipment was already roaring into the dense forest area. Out of curiosity, Mister Bob, Adisa, and Essien went into the forest.

What they found would make anyone in awe to saw a forest that was abundant with huge trees.

Was I right! Mister Bob thought. He was giddy.

That morning the weather was bright and sunny. The sky was brilliant blue without a cloud in sight. The cool breeze incentivized the workers with adrenaline to start their hard work. Mister Bob and his two loyal men stood in front of the camp cheering as the bulldozers roared into the forest. Transport cars carrying chainsaw men went first followed by large logging trucks.

They did not need to build any road since all the clearing would be done around the camp area first. And since the camp was about 2 kilometers away from the riverbank, no one would notice any activities inside the forest. Log pond had not been built on the riverbank to avoid any questions asked. The logs would be stacked in the log yard first at the ​​5-hectare land clearing.

Soon after the convoy of workers entered the forest, Mister Bob and his men were distracted by a commotion from the entrance area of the camp.

It looks like a bunch of shirtless, barefoot, and short people, arguing with security at the entrance.

Mister Bob tried to ignore the confrontation and was about to re-enter the Golden Logging Company's temporary office. But Fabumi reached to his arm and whispered few words. Mister Bob looked a little anxious then waved at the security to allow the group of Pygmies to come in to meet him.

The group consisted of five persons who, judging from the Pygmies standard were considered old people.

Mister Bob turned to Fabumi after one of them spoke at length in a language he didn't understand at all. His hands pointed towards the forest while he was speaking and shaking his head repeatedly.

"He said it was forbidden to cut any trees in the forest, sir. Some dangerous secrets that have been kept in the forest might be released if the trees are knocked down. Especially the Afrormosia tree," Fabumi was quite familiar with Pygmies because for decades he had wandered from one forest to another.

"Tell them that I will give good money as long as they don't bother us," Mister Bob always tried to avoid any confrontations as he usually did.

When Fabumi finished translating Mister Bob's request, the Pygmies were silent for a moment. Then he sat on the ground in tears. The rest of them followed and wept.

Mister Bob and his team confused with the whole situation. Adisa then spoke up. Although he stammered a little, he could speak Pygmi, just enough.

"Hey, why are you crying? Our boss will give you a lot of money, so you don't have to live in the forest anymore."

Their cry grew louder. With a limp they got up and left. Before leaving, one of the elders of the Pygmies turned to Fabumi and said a few words that made Fabumi's face turned white.

Once they left, Essien approached Fabumi who was still stunned and dazed by the words said.

"Why bro? You look like you just saw a ghost? Hahaha..."

Fabumi took a deep breath. He looked at Mister Bob and said quietly.

"Sir, I am worried about what they said. Shouldn't you think again, sir?"

Mister Bob stared blankly at Fabumi.

"What do you mean?"

"They say the dangerous secret that stuck deep in the roots of Afrormasia will be released and become a dangerous plague for humans. They call it the evil of the forest," Fabumi's voice trembled.

"You must remember Ebola, African Fever? Everything came from deep in the forest that was released accidentally because humans ignored the local wisdom. If you insist on continuing, I don't think I will be able to bear the consequences. I would resign today and return to Pointe Noire tomorrow morning."

Mister Bob frowned. Superstition! Nonsense! The chairman of the Golden Logging Company waved his hand dismissively and entered the office.

Fabumi shrugged to maintain calm. He walked to his quarter in the camp and started packing.

In the silence after the conversation, the sound of falling trees were heard clearly from the camp.