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Papua New Guinea adds 12 new protected areas WWF news release November 4, 2005 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea The government of Papua New Guinea announced today that it will gazette 12 new protected areas covering some of the country's most biologically diverse forests, wetlands and coral reefs. "This is the most significant expansion of our protected area system this decade," said Papua New Guinea Environment Minister William Duma. "We are very proud of the efforts of landholding communities who requested protection of their land and congratulate the non-government organizations and companies who have assisted them." As all the protected areas are owned by local communities, management practices will be developed and run by the communities themselves. The protected areas will promote the sustainable use of wildlife and its habitats for subsistence and cash income, as well as strengthening land rights and cultural sites. "We hope these proposed protected areas will help some of the country's least developed communities to improve their livelihoods," added Minister Duma. "They have been established for many reasons, including increasing fish stocks, ensuring sustainable harvest of animals and forest products, clarifying land boundaries, drawing tourists and protecting sacred areas."
"This is an important step in protecting one of the world's great environmental treasures," said Leape. "Papua New Guinea has the largest block of tropical rainforest in the Asia Pacific, the largest and healthiest wetlands in the region and some of the richest coral reefs on the planet, but these are under intense pressure from unsustainable fishing and logging." Papua New Guinea currently has one of the lowest coverage of protected area of any country. Only 2.7 per cent of the country's land area and 0.07 per cent of its territorial waters are included in protected areas.
"A global effort is needed to support the remarkable effort now underway to protect and manage Papua New Guinea's environment and promote sustainable natural resource industries," added Leape. "WWF will be committing its resources to this and we call on governments and donors in the region and around the world to assist." This is a modified press release from WWF
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