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Environment

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Climate Change

Mangrove Project for Hansa Bay Area

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Mangrove Project

Climate Change and the rise in sea level is very concerning, the devastation caused to the Coast line is inevitable. The rural population in Papua New Guinea cannot cope with the loss of their coastline and the threat to their eco system.

But what can Papua New Guineans do but take the lead in mitigating the effects of climate change? The Hansa bay area in Bogia District Madang Province is losing it’s coast line and the inhabitants are struggling to keep their marine eco system intact for future generations.

Hamex Rupia is from Southern Highlands Province but has built a livelihood and found a home in the Hanasa Bay area, along Bogia District in Madang Province. He has become a part of the community and he is one of the members in the community that has stood up to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

His organization, GTEN Fundraiser Network Inc, is leading the way in the Hansa Bay mangrove nursery and planting. He says communities have taken the initiative to start planting mangroves to help protect their coastline from the rising tides.

Mangroves provide natural infrastructure to help protect nearby populated areas by reducing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme weather events. They are also important to the ecosystem as their dense roots help bind and build soils.

Hamex and his community through the GEF Small Grants funding administered by the UNDP, started a nursery of mangrove plants, up to 10,000 mangrove plants are at their green house, and are slowly maturing. Hamex says they will wait for the second part of funding before they can do transplanting of the mangrove plants.

The community has struggled to get a decent catch close to their coastline, and are hoping for changes when the mangrove project is in full swing. They hope more fish will come thanks to the Mangroves that will cover the coastline.

There are also war relics and burial sites from World War II, which the community say has been under threat by rising sea levels. Hamex said some of the war relics have been destroyed by the sea. The community sees this as a Eco Tourism project. Hamex added that the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has funded restoration of some of the War relics in the Hansa Bay area.

Hamex says they look to benefit from changes in their eco system as well in future.

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Climate Change

Community Based Organizations get Capacity Building Training

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Capacity Building Training

Environment Conservation is important in the modern age, with the effects of climate change, due to the extractive industry, industrialization and population growth, our natural environment is kept under stress.

Despite the challenges faced by rural Papua New Guinea, there are concerned citizens who see the need to take part in environmental conservation efforts.

The (GEF) Small Grants program which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program. It provides grants of up to 50,000 USD, directly to CSOs and community-based organizations (CBO’s). This is for grantees to undertake local projects that contribute to the global environment while generating sustainable livelihoods.

Local NGOs in Papua New Guinea that receive these grants go through basic capacity building. Which includes training in leadership and project management. This will help these small Community Based Organizations to manage funding and also in future be well equipped to apply for further funding to sustain their projects.

The Capacity training for Southern, Momase and the NGI regions was held in Port Moresby. This was facilitated by Conservation Forum PNG, with John Ericho as the facilitator.

Whilst the patrons of these projects are experienced in their capacity to drive their projects forward, they still need further training especially in management and sourcing further funding for project longevity. That’s why the one week training held in Port Moresby was important.

John added that there was a host of successful projects. Which included, Carbon Trading, Mangrove Planting and Coral conservation just to name a few. These projects are run by community based organizations that involve the whole community working together.

The team even visited a site where there is a coral rehabilitation program. The project is called Hiri Coral and it is located in the Tubusereia area of Central Province along the Motuan Coastline.

John Ericho says he believes that it is the community themselves that are responsible for conservation. He added that they own the resources and decide how to use it and if whether or not they want to take part in environment conservation as well.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/carbon-trading-benefitting-communities/

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Environment

ACT NOW! reveals evidence of illegal logging in ENB

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ACT NOW! reveals evidence of more illegal logging in new case study

ACT NOW! has released another case study report that reveals more illegal logging under the pretext of agriculture development.

This new report titled “A New Forest Grab” focuses on the Mengen agriculture project in East New Britain Province.

ACT NOW! says the report reveals how a Malaysian owned logging company, KK Connections, has used highly suspicious claims that will establish a forest plantation and agriculture projects to obtain a Forest Clearing Authority (FCA), which it is now using as cover to export thousands of cubic meters of round logs.

An FCA is only supposed to be used to allow the clearing of small, discrete areas of forest for agriculture or other land use changes, but satellite images analyzed by ACT NOW reveal the logging company in the Mengen area is roaming over a large area, selectively felling and extracting valuable timber with no forest clearance or agriculture planting.

The second report follows its first report, Ten Years Without a Crop, published last month in conjunction with Jubilee Australia.

The first report according to ACT NOW! revealed how another Malaysian-owned logging company, Global Elite Limited who has already sold US$31 million (115 million kina) worth of round logs from the Wammy FCA in West Sepik Province, but has not established promised palm oil or rubber plantations.

ACT NOW!’s Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago said to make matters worse, both reports highlight how the FCA logging operations have been approved by the PNG Forest Authority without the informed consent of a significant proportion of customary landowners.

He said just last week, Prime Minister Marape again reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the protection and sustainable management of our forest resources, yet the PNG Forest Authority is continuing to allow illegal logging across the entire country.

ACT NOW! Is calling on the PNG Forest Authority to cancel the Forest Clearing Authorities for both the Mengen and Wammy projects and to impose a moratorium on logging in all FCA areas.

In total there are 24 active FCA logging operations across nine Provinces which cover an average area of 61,849 hectares, the equivalent of more than 11,000 rugby fields.

Eddie Tanago, said: “FCAs are routinely being used as a loophole to authorize the theft of PNG’s forests. We call on the National Forest Board and PNG Forest Authority to extend the current moratorium on new FCAs, suspend logging in all existing FCAs and conduct a comprehensive public review of the projects”.

ACT NOW says it is also calling on the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Fraud squad to open investigations into these illegal logging operations as they are continuing under the supervision of Forest Authority officers.

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Environment

Community Awareness on Climate Change

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Climate Change Awareness

The Change in weather pattern, where there is high rainfall in a short period of time and prolonged drought, has caused a lot of communities in Papua New Guinea to suffer. This is all attributed to climate change and the shift in global weather patterns.

Communities across the world including Papua New Guinea, are forced to adapt to this new weather phenomenon. Rural communities in Papua New Guinea often lack the capacity to mitigate the outcomes caused by Climate Change.

An initiative by the PNG university of Natural Resources and Environment, as part of their community outreach under the Kairak Center for sustainable rural development, is the Community Empowerment for Climate Change for farming communities.

The University is making sure that communities in East New Britain are aware of the adverse effects of Climate Change. So that they can make appropriate changes to mitigate and adapt to their changing environment.

Project officer Simon Nakaiban says communities need to understand that Climate Change is real and is affecting communities and livelihoods. He added that most in the community are slowly coming to terms in understanding the severity of the effects of changes in Global weather patterns. But some very remote communities still need to fully grasp the messaging of climate change.

Simon Nakaiban explained that as part of their outreach they focus on awareness on food security as one aspect of mitigating climate change. That means introducing improved variety of crops like Sweet Potato and Casava, which Nakaiban pointed out as being drought tolerant.

He also added that they are conducting surveys and collecting valuable data that will be shared among stakeholders. The center is working to make sure that some of their findings can help influence some of the policy decisions made at the bureaucratic level.

Related Story: https://insidepng.com/carbon-trading-benefitting-communities/

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Environment

Environment Council Re-established

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Environment Council

Government has reminded Environment Council members of the very nature of their existence which is to provide the necessary duty diligence which progresses or terminates level three permit environment activities in country.

Motsy David, First Secretary to the Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change made this known at the swearing in of the council members today following a two-year absence of a board under a previous management.

“The Government has trust in the high caliber Papua New Guineans to oversee this important function of protecting our environment, but it must be done with care for our people, country and God who gave us this earth,” the Minister’s Spokesman said.

The Environment Council is an important part of the scientific government office – Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), it provides an oversight of the highest-level environment permit issued in the land.

After taking office over a Year ago, Environment Minister Hon. Simo Kilepa, MP, has tasked Acting Managing Director Jude Tukuliya to furnish some of the outstanding issues in the organization which include the establishment of the environment council.

“We are seeing positive feedback from the investors now that the council is in place,” Mr. Tukuliya said.
The council members include Jude Tukuliya (Chairman), Professor Kaul Gena, Jack Kariko, Tom Pringel, Professor Simon Saulei and Dr. Eric Omuru.

Related: https://insidepng.com/category/climate-change/

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Environment

Carbon Trading Benefitting Communities

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Carbon Trade

Tavolo Community Conservation Association is one success story of the future of carbon trading in Papua New Guinea.

The people living within the conservation area have benefited from school fee assistance and also household support through a family package. Thanks to benefit sharing arrangements between Tavolo Community Conservation Association, the Government of PNG and international Partners.

The Community based organization is located in East New Britain Province in the Pomio District it is the combined initiative of the people of Tavolo, Lausus and Mukus.

Chairman of the Association Peter Kikele says the association has partnered with the Government and other relevant stake holders. This is to ensure they benefit from Carbon Trading as part of their efforts in conserving large areas of forests in their area.

After the sale of their carbon credits they have a family package that they give to members of the clan. As part of a benefit sharing arrangement.

The benefit sharing arrangement involves the Government of Papua New Guinea the agencies that facilitate the sale of Carbon Credits and the clan members that have given the right for the sale of carbon from their area.

Kikele says that they are well off conserving their flora and fauna. In the past they had logging which not only destroyed their environment but also yielded minimal benefit in terms of monetary return. This time with the sale of Carbon Credits they have conserved their forests and have enough disposable income to pay for their children’s education and also build homes using modern materials. Kikele says that is a much better outcome compared to logging that happened in the past.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/capacity-building-for-environment-conservation/

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Bougainville

Conservation Showcase

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PWMA

Conservation areas within Pirung Wildlife Management Areas in the Bougainville Region was presented through a documentary film in Port Moresby.

Following this, the PWMA documentary will be made accessible to the local communities who host the PWMA through a community viewing program starting on 23 October to 1 November 2023.

Pirung Wildlife Management Area (PWMA) is the only gazetted Protected Area in Bougainville.
Located on the South-Eastern part of Bougainville island, it stretches over 60km in length and 10km in width. Making it one of the largest Protected Marine Area in the country.

The documentary is presented by ABG Directorate for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change. Under the Department of Lands and Physical Planning showcases the cultural and biodiversity conservation efforts practiced in the Protected Area.

In watching the documentary, the ABG believes it will enhance people’s understanding. Empowering the communities to protect their marine environment.

Lynette Baratai-Pokas, is the ABG Secretary for Lands, Physical Planning and Environment and Conservation & Climate Change. Her environment officers will be presenting the documentary to the communities.
The planned documentary viewing in Bougainville is scheduled as;

  1. 24th October 2023 – Tarara
  2. 25th October 2023 – Rorovana 1
  3. 26th October 2023 – Rorovana 2
  4. 27th October 2023 – Arawa Village
  5. 28th October 2023 – Kobuang
  6. 29th October 2023 – Pidia
  7. 30th October 2023 – Pokpok Main Village
  8. 31st October 2023 – Uruna Bay.

Related: https://insidepng.com/research-and-conservation-of-pngs-biodiversity/

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Environment

600-Watt Power Station

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Tree Kangaroo Conservation

The acquisition of a 600-watt Port Power Station by the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) is predicted to enhance operational capabilities for Conservation Liaison Officers and Rangers on patrols.

Dillian Nason, TKCP’s Research and Monitoring Coordinator, said the far-reaching benefits of this new equipment play a pivotal role in ensuring data consistency, a critical aspect for the success of the SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) program.

“This equipment marks a significant leap forward for TKCP’s conservation and research efforts. It prolongs the lifespan of field equipment, enabling extended data collection periods, which is vital for scientific research,” said Nason.

The Port Power Station ensures a reliable power source for phones, laptops, devices like Blackview, cameras, and various tools used by Conservation Liaison Officers.

Previously, TKCP used Goal Zero stations, but it was too costly and depended on other power sources.
TKCP then relied on solar-generated power to charge essential devices and allowed officers to operate in remote or off-grid locations where there was no traditional power source.

However, TKCP experienced operational delays and that hindered the efficiency of their conservation efforts. Hence with the aquisition of the 600-watt port power station, TKCP aims to continue its efforts towards the conservation of tree kangeroos.

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program Associate Director, Modi Pontio says the conservation program is committed to the long-term survival of tree kangaroos and their habitats.

“We work towards achieving this through research, community engagement, habitat protection, and conservation education. We envision a future where tree kangaroos thrive in the wild. And their habitats are protected and well-managed. Our aim is to achieve this by fostering a sustainable coexistence between communities and wildlife. Ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem health”, Pontio explains.

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Environment

Training on SMART Application

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SMART

Conservation Officers and Rangers in Morobe province were participants in a program targeted at enhancing conservation efforts using a special software called SMART.

Known as Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) Application, this software plays a unique role in monitoring wildlife, identifying threats, and optimizing patrol operations.

The participants in this training are from Yopno, Uruwa and Som River (YUS) Conversation area of Kabwum District. Which covers 162,683 hectares.

Robson Soseng, a Ranger from Lower Uruwa Range said, with the knowledge on how to transfer patrol data, they don’t have to travel to Lae to send data.

“I am very happy with the current addition and introduction of SMART Patrol Plans. I learnt earlier this year during a refresher. When I went away and practiced and now with the debrief, it helps even more to correct my mistakes and become better,” said Ranger Soseng.

The software training primarily focuses on tracking, analyzing, and reporting spatial data. It will provide critical insights for informed decision-making regarding specific locations.

Conservation officer of Upper Uruwa, James Jio says he now understands how SMART works. And also how the data rangers collect, will benefit the system as a whole.

“I am so glad as I get to learn how to deal first hand technical issues. Re-installing SMART Application, editing SMART packages and transferring it into my Rangers phone. Transfer data from their phones into our field laptop and above all, I can also do monitoring in the livelihood area as I have installed SMART into my phone,” said Jio.

Dillian Nason, the Research & Monitoring Coordinator of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, facilitated a week-long training on the “Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool” (SMART).

“I believe this approach will reduce the long-term issue of communicating field data and devices with the Lae office. If all CO’s start attending SMART debriefs it will be better results ahead,” Jio continued.

Established in 2019, YUS remains Papua New Guinea’s inaugural conservation site.

It derives its name from the Yopno, Uruwa, and Som rivers. These rivers traverse the Huon Peninsula in Morobe Province. Predominantly situated in Morobe’s Kabwum District, the area is inhabited by approximately 15,000 residents across 50 villages.

This locale serves as a vital habitat for one of Papua New Guinea’s endangered tree kangaroo and the Huon or Matchie’s. A central focus in the Lukautim Graun Program.

Related: https://insidepng.com/nurturing-growth/

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Environment

Sponsor an Ocean! Niue’s plan to protect its slice of the Pacific

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Sponsor and Ocean - Niue


PHOTO FILE: A tail of a humpback whale breaks the water in Niue in this 2018 photo. (Richard Sidey/Galaxiid via AP)

By NICK PERRY (Associated Press)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial waters — it will get sponsors to pay.

Under the plan, which was being launched by Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometer (about 250 acres) of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years.

Niue hopes to raise more than $18 million from the scheme by selling 127,000 square-kilometer units, representing the 40% of its waters that form a no-take marine protected area.

In an interview, Tagelagi said his people have always had a close connection with the sea.

“Niue is just one island in the middle of the big blue ocean,” Tagelagi said. “We are surrounded by the ocean, and we live off the ocean. That’s our livelihood.”

He said Niueans inherited and learned about the ocean from their forefathers and they want to be able to pass it on to the next generation in sustainable health.

Most fishing in Niue is to sustain local people, although there are some small-scale commercial operations and occasional offshore industrial-scale fishing, according to the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Because of all the illegal fishing and all the other activities at the moment, we thought that we should be taking the lead, to teach others that we’ve got to protect the ocean,” Tagelagi said.

Unregulated fishing can deplete fish stocks, which then cannot replenish, while plastics can be ingested by or entangle marine wildlife. Human-caused climate change has also led to warmer and more acidic oceans, altering ecosystems for underwater species.

Niue is also especially vulnerable to rising sea levels threatening its land and freshwater, and the island is at risk of more intense tropical storms charged by warmer air and waters.

With a population of just 1,700 people, Niue acknowledges it needs outside help. It’s one of the smallest countries in the world, dwarfed by an ocean territory 1,200 times larger than its land mass.

Under the plan, the sponsorship money — called Ocean Conservation Commitments — will be administered by a charitable trust.

Niue will buy 1,700 sponsorship units, representing one for each of its citizens. Other launch donors include philanthropist Lyna Lam and her husband Chris Larsen, who co-founded blockchain company Ripple, and U.S.-based nonprofit Conservation International, which helped set up some technical aspects of the scheme.

Maël Imirizaldu, marine biologist and regional leader with Conservation International, said one problem with the conventional approach to ocean conservation funding was the need for places like Niue to constantly seek new funding on a project by project basis.

“The main idea was to try and switch that, to change the priority and actually help them have funding so they can plan for the next 10 years, 15 years, 20 years,” Imirizaldu said.

Simon Thrush, a professor of marine science at New Zealand’s University of Auckland who was not involved in the plan, said it sounded positive.

“It’s a good idea,” Thrush said, adding that as long as the plan was thoroughly vetted and guaranteed over the long term, “I’d be up for it.”

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