DECLARATION OF WEST PAPUA AS CONSERVATION PROVINCE
MANOKWARI- In conjunction with the 16th anniversary celebration, West Papua Province declared West Papua as a Conservation Province, today, October 19, 2015. Conservation Province is an initiative of the Governor of West Papua, Abraham O. Atururi, which is intended to protect and manage natural resources in a sustainable manner as the basic capital of development for the welfare of the people of West Papua. The declaration of West Papua Province as a Conservation Province is the first in Indonesia and even in the world. This is the basis for the development of wise and sustainable development policies in West Papua.
As a form of realization of West Papua Province as a Conservation Province, the Conservation Province Working Group is currently drafting a Draft Special Regional Regulation (RANPERDASUS) as the basis for its implementation in West Papua Province.
"The declaration of West Papua Province as a Conservation Province is our momentum together to always maintain and manage West Papua's natural resources wisely, sustainably, and sustainably, so that they are always preserved for our lives at this time and for future generations," said West Papua Province Governor Abraham O. Atururi.
Benja V. Mambai, Papua Program Director - WWF Indonesia explained, "WWF welcomes and supports the declaration of West Papua as a Conservation Province. We hope this is a milestone to solidify the conservation efforts and development direction of a wise and sustainable West Papua Province."
WWF has been working in West Papua Province for the protection of leatherback turtle and whale shark species, monitoring and sustainable management of natural resources based on local wisdom, environmental education, as well as policy advocacy at the district and provincial levels related to Spatial and Regional Plans (RTRW) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (KLHS).
In West Papua, WWF Indonesia - Papua Program is currently working in two locations, namely in Wondama Bay Regency which is included in the Cenderawasih Bay National Park area and in Abun, Tambrauw Regency. In addition, WWF Indonesia is also a member of the Bird's Head Seascape conservation program with Conservation International (CI) and The Nature Conservacy (TNC). West Papua has a Bird's Head Seascape area that is rich in marine biodiversity and 90% of West Papua's area is a natural forest area.
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Editor's Note:
The establishment of the Conservation Province Working Group is based on West Papua Governor Decree No.522.5/123/6/2015 on the Establishment of the West Papua Conservation Province Working Group. The members of this working group consist of the West Papua Provincial Government, West Papua People's Assembly, West Papua Provincial DPRD, Papua State University, and NGOs (WWF Indonesia, Conservation International (CI), and The Nature Conservacy (TNC).
For more information, please contact:
Imam Syuhada, West Papua and Bird Head Seascape Leader - WWF Indonesia
T: 0811 8107 295
Andhiani Kumalasari, Communication Campaign & Outreach Coordinator WWF Papua Program
T: 0821 331 83738
