Page "Biodiversity of New Caledonia" Paragraph 87

Grass-roots conservation efforts have been tentative at best, and invariably failed when in direct conflict with mining and other development projects.

Recent efforts to increase habitat protection met with strong official opposition, and violence against the proponents.

Notably, Bruno Van Peteghem, recipient of the 2001 Goldman Environmental Prize, used the local court system to force government leaders to obey laws protecting the country's coral reefs.

After winning in court, his home was firebombed, and his family was repeatedly threatened.

Ultimately, the head of government, Jacques Lafleur, succeeded in silencing Van Peteghem, forcing him into de facto exile by arranging the termination of his employment with the national airline.