PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 2:50 PM by Luigi

A conservation vision for New Guinea's wetlands

From WWF, 17 May 2006

Madang, Papua New Guinea – A conservation "vision" to protect one of the Asia-Pacific region's largest, richest and most pristine wetlands on the island of New Guinea has been officially launched today, with governments, community leaders, scientists and conservation organizations declaring their commitment to support it.

“The vision highlights and strengthens the need to conserve this globally significant environment and its biodiversity,” said Terry Warra, Acting Managing Director of the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority

“It will not only assist the communities that live in the TransFly, but also provides a powerful symbol of the cooperation and friendship between our two countries.”

Straddling the border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, this unique coastal landscape of grasslands, savannas, wetlands and monsoon forest habitats spans 10 million hectares. The TransFly is home to over half of New Guinea’s bird species, including 80 that are endemic to the island, as well as numerous species of birds of paradise. There are also endemic marsupial cats, flying possums and a rich diversity of reptiles.

However, the protected habitats and species that help identify the TransFly as an outstanding area of biodiversity are increasingly under threat from logging, agricultural expansion, and road and settlement development.

“Until now, there has been no attempt to prioritise conservation efforts in the region, properly document its biodiversity values or identify how conservation efforts can proceed hand in hand with development,” said Michele Bowe, WWF Papua New Guinea's TransFly Coordinator. “The vision is a blueprint for conservation and development in the TransFly over the next 50 years.”

The launch of the TransFly Biodiversity Vision represents the culmination of three years of consultation, data collection, mapping and analysis by WWF to identify and prioritise the habitats and species, and document the importance of the region's traditional cultures, local landowner groups and their livelihoods. The lives, customs, beliefs, languages and knowledge of over 60 cultural groups are linked inextricably with the geography of the TransFly.

“Our culture is precious to future generations,” said Abia Bai, a community leader from Papua New Guinea.

"Commitment to the vision will stop the destruction of our land. We have many sacred places that mark the route of our ancestors’ spirits, the preservation of which has now been recognised.”

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of a new WWF publication Beyond Belief – Linking Faiths and protected areas to support biodiversity conservation, which explores the relationship between sacred areas, spiritual beliefs and protected areas, like the TransFly.

For further information

Christian Thompson, Communications Advisor
WWF Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 852 1763
E-mail: cthompson@wwfpacific.org.pg

Michele Bowe, TransFly Ecoregion Coordinator
WWF Papua New Guinea
Tel: +679 3315 533
E-mail: mbowe@wwfpacific.org.pg



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DIVA-GIS	Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Posted 2:50 PM by Luigi A conservation vision for New Guinea's wetlands From WWF, 17 May 2006 Madang, Papua New Guinea – A conservation "vision" to protect one of the Asia-Pacific region's largest, richest and most pristine wetlands on the island of New Guinea has been officially launched today, with governments, community leaders, scientists and conservation organizations declaring their commitment to support it. “The vision highlights and strengthens the need to conserve this globally significant environment and its biodiversity,” said Terry Warra, Acting Managing Director of the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority “It will not only assist the communities that live in the TransFly, but also provides a powerful symbol of the cooperation and friendship between our two countries.” Straddling the border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, this unique coastal landscape of grasslands, savannas, wetlands and monsoon forest habitats spans 10 million hectares. The TransFly is home to over half of New Guinea’s bird species, including 80 that are endemic to the island, as well as numerous species of birds of paradise. There are also endemic marsupial cats, flying possums and a rich diversity of reptiles. However, the protected habitats and species that help identify the TransFly as an outstanding area of biodiversity are increasingly under threat from logging, agricultural expansion, and road and settlement development. “Until now, there has been no attempt to prioritise conservation efforts in the region, properly document its biodiversity values or identify how conservation efforts can proceed hand in hand with development,” said Michele Bowe, WWF Papua New Guinea's TransFly Coordinator. “The vision is a blueprint for conservation and development in the TransFly over the next 50 years.” The launch of the TransFly Biodiversity Vision represents the culmination of three years of consultation, data collection, mapping and analysis by WWF to identify and prioritise the habitats and species, and document the importance of the region's traditional cultures, local landowner groups and their livelihoods. The lives, customs, beliefs, languages and knowledge of over 60 cultural groups are linked inextricably with the geography of the TransFly. “Our culture is precious to future generations,” said Abia Bai, a community leader from Papua New Guinea. "Commitment to the vision will stop the destruction of our land. We have many sacred places that mark the route of our ancestors’ spirits, the preservation of which has now been recognised.” Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of a new WWF publication Beyond Belief – Linking Faiths and protected areas to support biodiversity conservation, which explores the relationship between sacred areas, spiritual beliefs and protected areas, like the TransFly. For further information Christian Thompson, Communications Advisor WWF Papua New Guinea Tel: +675 852 1763 E-mail: cthompson@wwfpacific.org.pg Michele Bowe, TransFly Ecoregion Coordinator WWF Papua New Guinea Tel: +679 3315 533 E-mail: mbowe@wwfpacific.org.pg * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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