Satellite image of PNG. Courtesy of Google Earth
The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), the world’s largest group of tropical researchers, is calling on the government of Papua New Guinea to increase support for biology training programs in the densely-forested and wildlife-rich country.
In a declaration issues at the conclusion of its annual meeting, held this year in Cairns, Australia, ATBC also urged the PNG government to establish a new system for funding biological research in the country.
“These initiatives are essential for the documentation, understanding and protection of the globally important PNG biodiversity,” said the group.
ATBC went on to recommend that PNG increase the number scholarships available to Papuan biology students. It also called upon the government to approve several proposed conservation areas.
