Jayapura- The existence of relatively preserved forests in Papua is becoming increasingly important to maintain. WWF Indonesia Papua Program, which has long carried out conservation work in this region, is trusted to be one of the members of the LESTARI Project consortium funded by the United States (US) Government through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The LESTARI Project in Papua is one of the programs funded by the United States Government to support Indonesian government programs, especially the Government of Papua. This program seeks to improve better forest governance and reduce CO2 emissions and efforts to preserve biodiversity.

Papua is one of the focuses of the LESTARI project with four landscapes - Lorentz, Mappi-Bouven Digoel, Sarmi, and Cyclops Nature Reserve - being prioritized. The four landscapes cover 5 districts and 1 city.

"For the implementation of this project, WWF Indonesia and other consortium members are working together with the Papua Provincial government, district/city governments, universities, indigenous peoples, the private sector and NGOs," said Benja Mambai, WWF Indonesia's Papua Program Director.

In conjunction with the launch of Project LESTARI, the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert O. Blake, Jr. visited Jayapura on January 21, 2016. This visit also included the signing of a Declaration of Agreement between the Parties on Collaborative Management of the Cyclops Nature Reserve Area and Buffer Zone. The event was held at the Sasana Karya Building of the Papua Governor's Office, which was attended by Papua Governor Lukas Enembe.

Papua Governor Lukas Enembe hopes that this activity can make a major contribution to the people of Papua, especially in the field of environment and natural resource conservation. "The Papua Provincial Government welcomes all efforts that support the preservation of the environment and natural resources in Papua which are carried out through international cooperation programs. This is in line with the provincial government program and is expected to provide many benefits for indigenous peoples in Papua," Lukas said.

In addition to Papua Province, the USAID LESTARI Program is also implemented in Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan.