native Indians in Canada are up in arms against a continued assault on the mineral-rich Temagami region. The Indians are pressing for land rights in this more than 6,000 sq km area which is 500 km north of Toronto. The region is considered by geologists to be one of the world's most mineral-rich areas.
Logging operations started in September this year. Lumber operators have plans to swipe through nearly 300 sq km of pine trees nearly 200 years old. Conservationists have joined the battle and are seeking a court injunction to halt the logging. Earthroots, a Toronto-based green group has had its members handcuffed to bridges and machinery as a last resort to halt the logging operations. The loggers, meanwhile, sing a different tune. "I cannot see why we should preserve something that is going to die any way," said Lionel Robitaille, an employee of Goulard Lumber which has timber rights in the Temagami region.
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