Gov’t urged to support conservation efforts in PNG

Conservation is vital for Papua New Guinea and the National Government is urged to support conservation efforts in the country to protect biodiversity.

Conservation Environment and Protection Authority (CEPA) managing director Gunther Joku revealed that the area of conservation is lacking Government support.

Joku explained that the environment is beneficial to the people and therefore must be conserved and protected.

He said the Government must continue to be responsible to fund this particular sector.

Joku also highlighted the need to reform the existing Conservation Areas Act.

He said that the law has been around for a long time and a lot has changed and so much development has taken place.

“The Conservation Areas Act aims to set up conservation areas but we are having difficulties going up against other development activities like logging, mining and fisheries.

“We need to review the law to make it user friendly and more accessible by landowners.

“If landowners are going to set up protected areas then the law must clearly specify that,” Joku said.

He further explained that the law must also clearly state how CEPA can consult and help the people understand how they can benefit from freeing up their land for conservation purposes.

Author: 
Quintina Naime