Ecotourism in the Forests of Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea

by Conservation International

Partners:

Conservation International (CI) Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific (FSP) Wau Ecology Institute (WEI)

Success Stories

In a community having a high level of illiteracy, the communication of the conservation message and general participation of the people in the Basin initiative has been very poor. The completion and opening of the Kakaro lodge has, however, sent the message home that there is an opportunity here, which has resulted in another lodge being constructed at Tekadu and another under consideration at Okavai. This is a good sign and it is catalyzing other activities.

As a result of this single event, three women groups have been formed, two at Kakoro and one at Tekadu. The women have shown great interest in the cooking demonstrations conducted by the Peace Corps volunteers. The volunteers are in the process of building solar ovens and they will teach the community how to use them.

Adding to this success was the literacy workshop conducted at Kakoro. When the workshop was over, the women did not want the trainers to leave -- they felt they were just getting started. The women in Tekadu (over 70 individuals), were really angry that the trainers did not conduct the workshop for them. They complained and demanded that FSP staff member Cosmas Makamet have the trainers back as soon as possible. The women are really eager to learn and if this continues, the common assumption that education leads to conservation could become a reality. More training has been identified in our strategic plan.

In addition, two Biaru clans, the Kingara No. 1 & 2, met in June, and resolved that there should be no hunting or gold panning on the lands they hold. Any person breaching this will be dealt with in the court of law.

Challenges

Trying to redirect peoples' interest away from fast money making options such as mining, logging, hunting, and gardening is a big challenge. The people in the Basin have built these activities into their lives and it is really difficult for us to change their entrenched mind sets.

Trying to convince four different ethnic groups, comprising of many individuals with varied interests and perceptions to adhere to our activities, is difficult. Their low level of understanding is a problem. Educating them is a requirement, but according to our resident scientist, this could be possible with the next generation, but not with the current one whose brains have already developed.

One mining company, Wau Alluviaus, has already moved into the area and has collaborators from the Basin, both in Tekadu and Kakoro. They have given cash handouts to the people. This challenge intensified when the minister responsible for mining issued a press release in which he encouraged small-scale gold mining as a way of promoting rural develop and employment. This is the biggest challenge for the project because unlike them, we are unable to distribute huge amounts of cash.

One other challenge that is beginning to unfold in the field is the different needs and requirements that we have to meet both at the community level where the resource owners are, and the political level where decisions are being made. We, the project proponents and implementers are being sandwiched. Despite all these challenges, we will continue to fight to the last.

	"OK...So What?"
... or, return to this Project's Main Menu

WHY BIODIVERSITY   FIELD STORIES   PARTICIPATE   RESULTS   MARKETSPACE ABOUT THE NETWORK   WHAT'S NEW   LEARNING MATERIALS   SEARCH   LINKS   SITE MAP   HOME