By: Blandina Isabella Patty (Communication and Environmental Education Officer, Papua Program)

On Friday (09/06), the Regional Secretary of Papua Province read out the Governor's Circular Letter regarding the Prohibition of the Use of Indigenous Birds of Paradise as Accessories and Souvenirs. The Governor's circular was read in Nimbokrang, Jayapura Regency. Through his circular, the Governor emphasized several things, one of the main points of which is to prohibit the use of native birds of paradise as souvenirs in any activity.

WWF-Indonesia Papua Program through the Education Sustainable Development program responds well to the Governor's support and policies related to bird of paradise conservation. In order to welcome Indonesia's National Children's Day 2017, the WWF-Indonesia Papua Program's Panda Mobile team held socialization actions in several schools related to bird of paradise conservation. Children are expected to have a high concern for the environment through simple things. The introduction of the environment must begin at an early age because children will be the successors or spearheads of nature conservation in the Land of Papua. Children are also expected to become agents of change who will change the mindset or behavior of people who are less concerned about the preservation of birds of paradise.< br />

The first activity was held on Tuesday (07/18), in collaboration with one of the schools that has earned the title of adiwiyata school at the national level, namely SD Negeri Kota Raja, Jayapura, Papua. In his remarks, the Principal of SD Negeri Kota Raja, Sesminanci, S.Pd said, "As educators, we have a mission that must be able to change the behavior of students to become environmentally sound and cultured students and uphold local wisdom through character education."

The activity, which took place in the hall of SD Negeri Kota Raja, was filled with material about the preservation of birds of paradise in the Land of Papua and environmentally friendly lifestyles. There were about 120 students representing grades 4-6 SD accompanied by 15 teachers who participated in the socialization activities.

The Panda Mobile team started the material about bird of paradise conservation by introducing pictures of several types of birds of paradise in Papua and pictures of their habitat. They also reiterated the contents of UU No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, PP No. 7 of 1999 concerning the Preservation of Plant and Animal Species, and PP No. 8 of 1999 concerning the Utilization of Wild Plant and Animal Species and the provisions of punishment for violating the contents of the law.

Furthermore, the Panda Mobile team also conveyed the importance of having an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This lifestyle aims to use natural resources wisely and sustainably within one earth. Students are invited to contribute to environmental sustainability starting from simple things, such as not littering, bringing refillable drinking bottles, and saving electricity and water usage.

As a national level Adiwiyata school, SD Negeri Kota Raja has 10 partner schools. Three of the assisted schools, namely SD Inpres VIM I Kota Raja, SDN Inpres VIM 2 Kota Raja, and SDN Inpres BTN Kota Raja also received the same socialization from the WWF-Indonesia Papua Program team at different times.