Scientific and Eco-Tourism in the Rain Forests of Crater Mountain, Papua New Guinea

by Research and Conservation Foundation of PNG

Partners:

Research and Conservation Foundation of PNG (RCF) Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Current Accomplishments

Within the boundaries of the CMWMA, the project's community and business development staff in the field continue to work with members of 21 landowning clans on ecoenterprise development. Over the last year, approximately 300 visitors including scientists, students and natural history travelers visited the research station, guesthouse and bushhouses which the communities in the WMA offer.

Community leaders have participated in tourism planning workshops, national study tours and ongoing village extension courses to build local capacity in small business development. Because literacy levels are extremely low, support classes are offered in English, literacy and basic math. With field staff assistance, communities have discussed and tested business management structures, worked with an architect to design traditional facilities and trail systems to better accommodate the scientific traveler, determined rates and produced marketing brochures for their products. A market study was conducted to assist them in product planning. A successful model for international and domestic sale of traditional handicrafts developed in one WMA village has been transferred to the others to eventually be marketed under the Crater Mountain label.

Management committees with elected leaders from each clan meet monthly in each village to act on issues related to management of the multiple-use Wildlife Management Area. With management staff assistance, they review the WMA rules, act on violations and impose fines related to use of natural resources as associated with the eco-enterprises in place. The committees also review requests for tourism and research activity in the WMA and review the development of these enterprises to assess compatibility with proposed biodiversity protection. Once a year, representatives from all 21 clans meet in the Annual WMA Meeting to discuss eco-enterprises development and to standardize rules and procedures for the entire conservation area.

Successes and Challenges

"OK...So What?"

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