BUTTERFLY FARMING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT    ARFAK MOUNTAINS NATURE RESERVE, IRIAN JAYA, INDONESIA

PARTNERS Yayasan Bina Lestari Bumi Cenderawasih (YBLBC) World Wide Fund for Nature - Indonesia Programme University of Cenderawasih BCN GRANT $179,632 1 April 1995 through 31 December 1998
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & INCOME GENERATION The project is working hard to make its 4-year old butterfly business commercially viable by: Developing new domestic and international markets for the valued and protected Birdwing butterfly by obtaining CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species) approval for export to new countries; Streamlining the process by which YBLBC obtains permits from local CITES authorities; Training community members and adopting new technologies to ensure a consistently high quality product; Improving butterfly ranching techniques on the Reserve's boundaries [because they are protected and CITES-listed, Birdwings are not caught in the Arfak Mountains nature Reserve (AMNR)]. for the protected butterfly species it sells; and Expanding its product-base by obtaining permits to sell non-protected butterfly and insect species which it has not traded in the past. Projected Revenues 1997 # of Direct Beneficiaries 1997 $63,000 1,459 MONITORING Biological and socioeconomic monitoring is being implemented with the assistance of local community members to measure the impact of the project. Of the 2,848 households in districts participating in the project, YBLBC estimates 50.2% are receiving direct benefits from the enterprise. The butterflies' contribution to household income is difficult to measure, but YBLBC reports that it represents on average probably 50% or more of total cash income for the majority of participating households. In September 1997, 12 community members received intensive training in butterfly monitoring techniques. Below is a snapshot of the 3 enterprise sites, the area they cover, and the number of households. Site Total Area Managed Area Population Warmare 1844 households Manokwari 463 households Anggi 541 households	BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF AMNR The 68,325ha Reserve is home to 110 mammal species (e.g., tree kangaroos, bandicoots, cuscus) and 320 bird species (5 of which are endemic to AMNR). The Arfak Mountains are considered the center of evolution for the large, colorful Birdwing Butterflies (2 species of which are endemic to the area). AMNR is an important water catchment for several river systems. It ensures stabilizes the local water supply and reduces the potential for flooding in adjacent agricultural lands and coastal fisheries. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY The sale of land rights by indigenous owners to commercial monocrop (oil palm, cocoa) interests. Agricultural expansion and encroachment into AMNR for subsistence purposes. Illegal logging in and around AMNR. Poaching and illegal butterfly trade. Potential infrastructure development (e.g., roads, mines). CURRENT & POTENTIAL POLICY IMPACTS CITES-approved export permits for trade between Indonesia and new countries/clients. YBLBC, WWF-IP and TNC-Indonesia successfully lobbied the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry for permits to export live pupae of both endemic and non-endemic butterfly species, thus setting a small precedent in the question of ownership of country's genetic heritage. This was done with important biological and economic information demonstrating Indonesia was not in danger of forfeiting its genetic and biological wealth. Direct community participation in monitoring and patrolling of a protected area in Irian Jaya. OTHER PROJECT FEATURES The project began in 1989 as part of a WWF-IP initiative to develop management plans for AMNR. Butterfly gardens and foodplant stations were planted in AMNR's buffer zones. Needing a locally-managed partner and outlet for the butterflies, WWF-IP helped establish YBLBC in 1993. YBLBC's primary client-base includes individual collectors, museum's and researchers in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, western Europe, North America.
CONTACT INFORMATION YBLBC, P.O. BOX 175, Manokwari, Irian Jaya 98312, Indonesia; Fax: 62-986-212-493; Email yblbc@jayapura.wasantara.net.id BCN (Jakarta Office): Jl. Madium No. 3, Menteng, Jakarta 10320, Indonesia; Phone/Fax: 62-21-392-6584; E-Mail bcordes@cbn.net.id

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