Biodiversity Conservation Project through Implementation of the PNG Policy on Protected Areas

The CEPA-JICA team commenced work on this project starting in June 2015 and will be operate for the 5 years, with approximately 12 million Kina (550 million Yen) funding from the Japanese government and some funding is expected from the PNG government. JICA is going to assist the CEPA in implementing the PNG Policy on the Protected Areas (PPA) which commenced in June 2015. The PPA is aimed at addressing issues related to biodiversity conservation by supporting the development and management of the National Protected Areas Network in PNG. In addition JICA will work with CEPA as a partner to help build the institutional capacity of CEPA in the management of Protected Areas (PA) to enhance national-level PA governance and sustainable use of natural resources by local communities in the model areas. The overall goal of the project is to set up effective management of the Protected Areas Network by applying the models of protected areas management. Towards this goal, we aim to achieve the four outcomes; (i) to strengthen institutional framework including formulation of PPA Action Plan and establishment of the National Conservation Council; (ii) to enhance the terrestrial management model at Varirata National Park and the surrounding Koiari area; (iii) to establish a new marine protected area model; and (iv) to raise awareness of the people about biodiversity protection. This is a technical cooperation project. As in all other JICA’s technical cooperation projects, the underlying aim of this project is to build a capacity of officers of the PNG government. The JICA team is going to work in partnership with counterpart officers of the PNG government, providing advices, on-the-job trainings and training programs in PNG and Japan. JICA team will work with government officers who are responsible for biodiversity protection, including CEPA, Central Provincial Administration, Kairuku-Hiri District Administration and Koiari Local Level Government. The rehabilitation of the Varirata National Park is one of the top priorities in in the first half of the project period. The current run-down visitors’ center will be renovated so that the Park can be revived as the major recreational and educational park for the people in Port Moresby City, National Capital District and Central Province as it once used to be so. The people can protect the environment while improving their livelihoods. One such idea is a program called the Man and Biosphere Program or MAB promoted by UNESCO. The Man and Biosphere (MAB) idea divides the designated area into three zones; the core zone for strict protection of environment; the buffer zone for scientific and educational activities; and the transitional zone for the people to engage in sustainable economic activities. However, a lot of discussions need to be done with the people in Koiari, who are the main stakeholder in this project, to think about if such an idea is viable in their land. Our concern is twofold; biodiversity protection and the current and future generations of the people living in such beautiful and precious natural environments. The JICA- CEPA team also plans to raise awareness of the people on the importance of protecting PNG’s invaluable biodiversity through consultation meetings, workshops, and other various events and means including disseminating information through internet and various media outlets. The team also appeals to the private sector for their participation, because we value their ongoing contribution to protecting the environment and supporting the people in PNG. Our team embraces advice or contributions in any form to this project. Overall JPYen550m (K12m) has been approved from the JICA which will end in 2020 (2015-2020).