Devastating DevelopmentNo scenario we imagined came anywhere near to the magnitude and degree of devastation we witnessed. We watched in awe while the great machines bulldozed the trees and levelled the hills. The thunderous crashing and snapping of towering ancient tree trunks was overwhelming. Deafening. Our hearts broke as we watched the birds flying away and other animals fleeing the destruction. I felt that day that I had lost something I would never get back. I felt like we had been tricked. Had my father and the Elders made the wrong decision? I think they realized that progress was inevitable so the best they could do was to position the village to benefit as much as possible from the development. But I don't think they had any idea as to the extent of the damage. We were simple pe
