A new dynamic ‘Protected Areas’ Bill is currently being finalized by CEPA (Conservation and Environment Protection Authority) for passage by Parliament before the end of this year.
This was announced by the Minister for Environment and Conservation and Climate Change Wera Mori at the National Protected Area Forum last week.
Minister Mori said the purpose of the Bill is to protect PNG as one of the world’s leading countries in biodiversity and to mitigate Climate Change.
He said PNG is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world and it hosts seven percent of the world biodiversity, only one per cent of the planets landmass.
Protected Areas for example, Managalas and Varirata and Port Moresby’s Nature Park provide an opportunity to support communities to manage their land for both the protection of its natural and cultural value as well as sustainable livelihoods.
The Protected Area bill will provide the foundation for the expansion of the Protected Area system in PNG and ensure that greater financial support is available to communities that manage these areas.
Minister Mori launched the Protected Areas Policy and made the remarks at the opening of the two-day Protected Area forum held at the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday World Environment Day which falls on the 4th of June was celebrated through a UN (United Nations) sponsored National Environment and Climate Change Emergency Summit
This was the first time ever a National Protected Area Forum was held and attended by the protected area practitioners, researchers, academics, private sector, potential donors and local communities who manage or support protected areas in PNG to share their experiences, insights and any lessons learnt in relation to factors.