Biodiversity Conservation Network
10. Butterflies in the Rain Forest of Irian Jaya
Location: Arfak Mountain Nature Reserve, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
Partners: World Wide Fund for Nature - Indonesia Programme (WWF-IP)
Yayasan Bina Lestari Bumi Cenderawasih (YBLBC)
University of CenderawasihProject Title: Butterfly Farming Enterprise Development in the Arfak Mountains BCN Funding: $179,632 Partner Contribution: $115,760
Grant Period: April 1, 1995 - March 30, 1998
Project Overview
The Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve (AMNR) protects lowland rain forest and montane moss forests in the Bird's Head region of Irian Jaya in eastern Indonesia. These forests support such rare and endemic species as tree kangaroos, bandicoots, Bird of Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird, and numerous birdwing butterflies. Human activities, however, threaten the biodiversity of the reserve. Agriculture, the collection of gaharu wood for fuel and construction, and poaching of some protected species by the Hatam, who live in and around the Reserve, pose the greatest threats.Working with the Hatam and other Irianese living in the vicinity of the reserve, WWF-IP and YBLBC are developing an enterprise based upon the sale of butterflies raised in the reserves' bufferzone. The earnings from butterfly sales represent a potential alternative to some of the environmentally destructive practices undertaken by the Hatam. Environmental education and participatory biological and socioeconomic monitoring complement enterprise development. The development of a viable, community-based butterfly farming enterprise, and the demonstration that such efforts are in fact ecologically sustainable, may help encourage GOI authorities to streamline the current time-consuming and difficult CITES permitting process for exporting butterfly specimens. Project partners and local communities also will explore the possibility of expanding the sale of butterflies to domestic markets.
1996 Accomplishments
One major accomplishment was that Australian CITES authorities granted YBLBC permission for the import of Birdwing Butterflies into Australia. YBLBC also received CITES permits for the sale of display cases to domestic and foreign visitors in May 1996. WWF/YBLBC held stands at Expo '96 in Jayapura, at the Manokwari Expo '96 and at Exhibition Lingkungan Hidup, Jakarta.
On the production side, thirty farmers participated in a training course in butterfly handling techniques in preparation for export. Ten farmers were trained in markisa (passion fruit) syrup production. YBLBC staff attended training courses in production techniques, stock recording, community development, project planning and monitoring. Administration and accounts training are continuing. Group leaders hold annual meetings and motivators hold monthly meetings facilitated by YBLBC. Staff made field trips in February, March, June and August.
Success Stories
While butterfly sales are still the main source of farmers' income, over the past year the organization of butterfly farming groups has acted as a catalyst for other income opportunities. In the past, several attempts have been made to introduce new agricultural produce and techniques to Arfak villages. Those crops that were successful in the market would then be planted by other areas. Villages with ready access to the Manokwari market, however, would benefit considerably more than those in remote areas.
Farmers have now organized themselves into groups along the lines of the butterfly farming groups. To reduce competition and distribute benefits, these agricultural groups agree to specialize their produce, dividing responsibility for carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, kidney beans, green beans, farmed fish and markisa syrup. A good selection of these Arfak products were available at the Manokwari Exhibition in October 1996, and farmers also make sales through the Manokwari office on a daily basis. Traditional and relatively new skills and ideas were combined to enhance income opportunities. New seeds were purchased with income from butterfly farming, which generated trust that support and assistance from YBLBC/WWF would be forthcoming. Agriculture remains an important part of the culture, while the project enables farmers to earn cash income without encroaching upon the forest. The communities themselves have motivated these developments.
Challenges
In June we were informed by the government that we were no longer permitted to export live pupae. Although pupae exports formed a very small part of income, they are important for the conservation aspect of the project as seen by many people in Western countries. Working with the Palu project in Sulawesi, who have the same problem, responses and representations were solicited from customers and experts. A report and presentation was prepared for a meeting with PHPA, to take place 8 October, 1996 to request a reversal of this policy.
 |
WHY BIODIVERSITY FIELD STORIES PARTICIPATE RESULTS MARKETSPACE ABOUT THE NETWORK WHAT'S NEW LEARNING MATERIALS SEARCH LINKS SITE MAP HOME |