Nature celebrations in Teptep today

The forests of Yus are critical habitats for Huon (or Matschie’s) tree kangaroos, an endangered species that is one of Earth’s unique creatures

Celebrations will take place today in Teptep village, Morobe province, to mark the creation of Papua New Guinea’s first conservation area, to protect an important area of pristine tropical forest.
Guests of honour include Acting Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu, Minister for Environment Benny Allen, Minister for Defence Bob Dadae, Governor for Morobe Province Luther Wenge, community leaders and partner representatives.
A traditional singsing, or celebratory gathering, honours the recent landmark decision by the PNG government to approve the Conservation Area – rewarding more than a decade of work by local communities in collaboration with conservation biologists from the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) based at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, USA and Conservation International (CI), as well as PNG Department of Environment and Conservation, Morobe provincial government and the Kabwum district.
Named for its three main rivers – the Yopno, Uruwa and Som of the Kabwum district, Morobe province – the YUS Conservation Area covers 187,800 acres (76,000 hectares or 760 square kilometers) of tropical forest stretching from coral reefs off the northern coast to the 4,000-metre peaks of the western Saruwaged Mountains.
A hallmark of modern conservation, the new protected area offers multiple benefits for both wildlife and people.
The lush forest ecosystem teems with life and provides countless resources that sustain the 10,000 villagers living in the surrounding YUS region.
In particular, the forest is critical habitat for Huon (or Matschie’s) tree kangaroos (pictured above), an endangered species that is one of Earth’s unique creatures with a bear-like head, strong arms for climbing and marsupial pouch.
“By creating the country’s first national conservation area, the PNG government and people have taken a step forward for both Papua New Guinea and conservation worldwide,” says Environment Minister Benny Allen.
“I congratulate the YUS community and its partners on their efforts and hope others will follow their example.”
Woodland Park Zoo’s Tree Kangaroo Conservation Programme (TKCP) has worked with YUS landowners and the PNG government for more than 12 years to establish the YUS Conservation Area, which is the first to be declared under the PNG Conservation Areas Act of 1978.
TKCP is supported by CI, National Geographic, and BMU (German Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety) through KfW (German Development Bank) as part of the International Climate Change Initiative.
The new protected area also represents the first time that more than 35 indigenous villages of the YUS region have come together in joint action to protect their forest homeland and the wildlife and ecosystems so vital to their culture and sustenance.
“What we have accomplished here is more than just an act of environmental preservation – it’s a model for sustainable community-based conservation that works,” says Dr Lisa Dabek, field conservation director at Woodland Park Zoo and Director of the zoo’s Tree Kangaroo Conservation Programme.
“The protected area will contribute to long-term efforts to preserve critical forest habitat and wildlife, and at the same time looking after the welfare of the local communities. We call it the ‘healthy village, healthy forest’ approach”.
While the land remains under local ownership, villagers have formally committed to prohibit all hunting and development such as logging and mining within the land that has been pledged to the conservation area.
Previous declarations of Wildlife Management Areas in PNG have been less restrictive, allowing logging, mining and other development activities.
Woodland Park Zoo and CI understand that conservation should address the needs of the local people as well as protecting habitat and species, so are working with community leaders to increase access to education, college scholarships, teacher training, health clinic improvements, midwife training, and other investments to support sustainable and healthy village life.
“The conservation area will help the people of YUS better manage their natural resources,” said Karau Kuna, Jr, a PNG national and GIS mapping coordinator for TKCP. “The YUS Conservation Area is part of PNG’s contribution to the worldwide community in the fight against global warming and other environmental issues we are all facing.”
Partners in the years of effort that culminated in creation of the YUS Conservation Area include the YUS communities, TKCP and its international staff, CI, the Morobe provincial government, PNG National Executive Council and PNG Department of Environment and Conservation.
TKCP and CI will continue to work with the PNG government and local communities to seek creation of additional conservation areas in the country, using the YUS Conservation Area as a model.

Massive costs of cleaning Port Moresby

THE National Capital District Commission has been spending a massive K4 million every year on cleaning waste and filth caused by people’s irresponsibility and lack of appreciation for their city.
Of this, close to K840, 000 has gone into the clean up of waste, stains and rubbish in public places, bus stops, shopping frontage and mini markets alone.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop mentioned this last month when he revealed the financial burden the NCDC has been bearing every year to rid Port Moresby of its never-ceasing litter.
“Every year NCDC spends over K4million on cleaning our filth and collecting our waste,” he said.
Breaking it down, Mr Parkop said every month, the city authority spends these monies on cleaning and collecting the following type of waste in the city:
- K79,925.00 on cleaning city markets, totaling K 959,100.00 per year;
- K52,308.75 on cleaning settlement waste (even though many do not pay our garbage rate), totaling K627,705 per year;
- K26,640 on collecting school waste, totaling K319,680 per year;
- K85,458.00 on domestic waste collection, totaling K1,025,495.00 every year;
- K16,650.00 on sanitary/septic waste collection in settlements and some parts of our city, totaling K199,800 per year;
- K46,295.88 on commercial and industrial waste collection, making it K555,550.56 every year;
- K10,656.00 on collection of medical waste, bringing the total to K127,872 per year; and
- K42, 360 on operating Baruni Dump, totaling K508, 320 every year.
“These monies could be spent on better things for our city and our people such as schools, clinics, streets lights, upgrading and sealing of roads, better parks and gardens, recreational and sporting facilities and better markets,” said the Governor.
Mr Parkop was replying to critics of the buai ban who said it was not worthwhile to ban betel nut.
But the Governor said the benefits of the campaign were immense and far outweighed the practice of selling buai in public places.
“Most of these wastes in pubic places are caused by betel nut vendors and their clients and plastics from shopping and sealing on manufactured goods,” said Mr Parkop.
“The choice is therefore clear for our people to make.
“If we take responsibility for our action, we can drastically reduce the amount of money the Commission spends on cleaning up our filth and rubbish and use this money for other useful purpose to benefit our city and its people.
“Since, our people have failed to live up to this sense of responsibility, NCDC as the municipal government of our City must compel our people to take responsibility for their action.
“This is one of the main reasons the Commission has banned the sale of betel nuts in public places.
“If our people want a better future for our country and our children, it is these little things that we need to solve before we solve the bigger challenges and problems,” he said.

The Future of Port Moresby: Earth Day Art Contest winners announced

One of the winning entries in the Earth Day 2009 Art Contest

NCDC Governor Powes Parkop and US Ambassador Leslie Rowe are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Earth Day Art Contest.
The theme of the contest is “The Future of Port Moresby,” and contestants submitted many inspirational designs for their vision of the future of their city.
The art contest winners are Imelda Marie Takesi (0-4 years); Breach Robilliard, Oule Memehere, Oudin Lagaia (5-11 years); Jerry Tsinabi, Elisa Napu, Timothy Charles (12-17 years); Frank Aep (adult).
The honorable mentions are Vincent Maso and Yoni Donia.
Prizes will be awarded on April 25 during the Earth Day cleanup of Ela Beach.
The goal of the Earth Day event is to raise environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility and pride in the beautiful natural environment of Port Moresby.
This year’s event includes the local art contest and a trash cleanup of Ela Beach and the Sea Park.
Everyone is welcome to come join in the fun of Earth Day.
The celebration will be on Saturday April 25th on Ela Beach from 8.30am to 12pm.
There will be a trash cleanup of Ela Beach and the Sea Park from 8.30am to 10am.
Bring the whole family and enjoy the local art display, face painting and a drama performance by Watete.
NCDC City manager Leslie Alu, US. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Paul Berg and Governor Powes Parkop will speak about Earth Day and the beautiful environment of Port Moresby.
Following the remarks there will be an awards presentation to the winners of the Earth Day Art Contest.
This is the third Earth Day celebration in Papua New Guinea and it is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day.
Earth Day is celebrated in 174 countries simultaneously by people of different ethnicities, religions and cultures.
Sponsors of this year’s contest were: Air Niugini, Trukai, City Pharmacy, NBC, Daltron, St John’s Ambulance, Coca-Cola, KK Kingston, Theodist NCDC, the US Embassy and PNG Gardener.
To learn more visit http://www.earthday.net/ .
All are welcome to help keep Port Moresby clean and green by joining the festivities on the “Dei Blong Mama Graun” at Ela Beach.
For more information, contact Christine Nixon at (675) 3211455, Ext. 2104

Earth Day to be celebrated in Port Moresby

World Earth Day falls today, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
However, the United States (US) Embassy and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) have collaborated to celebrate the annual ‘Earth Day’ event this Saturday 25, 2009.
This is a world event celebrated in 174 countries with the aim to raise environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility and pride in the beautiful natural environment of Port Moresby, as stated by Grace Maribu, Acting Manager of the Division of Public Relations with the NCDC.
This will be the second year to celebrate this event as it is an initiative of the NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, in line with the vision of making Port Moresby the best city in the South Pacific region by way of cleanliness and beauty.
This year’s event will include the clean-up of Ela Beach.
Ms Maribu says they are extending the clean up to the Sea Park if they get a big number of volunteers.
She said that last year, they got close to 500 volunteers, and is hoping that this year the number would increase.
“The Governor is calling on Port Moresby residents to use this opportunity to show you care for our city, and for parents to bring along school-aged children because this is an educational exercise that will help our children will become more conscious of their responsibilities to the environment,” Ms Maribu said.
She added that last year there were about 10 business houses that took part in the clean-up and hoped that this year there would be more than 10 business houses taking part.
Other events during the event will be face painting, drama presentation by Watete Theatre Group, and the presentation of awards to the winners of the Art Competition.
The art contest was launched about five weeks ago, especially for children to submit environmental art.
All the submissions were judged last Friday.
Ms Maribu is happy to announce that this event has received a lot of good sponsors, like
Air Niugini, giving the major prize for ticket for two to a choice of destination within PNG for the winner of the art contest; Daltron with prizes for the art competition as well;
Coca-Cola who will be providing the water and drinks during the event; Theodist with face painting; Trukai Industries; plus other generous sponsors.
The NCDC hopes to make Port Moresby the leading city in physical attractions, and this event is one way of making people aware of that.
Ms Maribu said the Governor had in line many new and exiting development plans for the city, as well as to redevelop reserves and parks in his beautification programme.
Thus, they have started off at Ela Beach because it is the most-used recreational area.
They have already constructed a volleyball court and a recreational theatre at the Ela Beach, and are now looking at redeveloping the jetty and the aquarium, as well as the Paga Ring Road and the business area there.
NCDC has engaged PNG Gardener Justin Tkatchenko in its beautification programme, with his work complementing the betelnut ban.
Ms Maribu said the privilege given to the informal sector especially the betelnut and cigarette sellers, had been taken back from them because of their irresponsibility.
She said there would be other designated areas to sell these products, thus, not hindering the progress in keeping the city clean.

Remembering the old Black Cat Trail

Wild flower along the Black Cat Trail

Lionel Aigilo pushes up the mountain

Lionel Aigilo (left) and SolomonJawing show off an American WW11 gun

Komiatum villager with smoking sticks on Mount Tambu

Komiatum Niukem along the infamous Black Cat Trail

Heni Denbis (front) of Morobe Tourism Bureau and Lionel Aigilo

Councillor's house at Komiatum

Climbing up to Guadagasul

Climbing Mount Tambu with panoramic views of the valley and ocean at Salamaua

Children bid farewell to visitors at Mubo

A landslide in the mountains between Salamaua and Wau

An infamous WW11 icon of Papua New Guinea is the old Black Cat Trail between Salamaua and Wau, Morobe province. Walk with me on the Black Cat...

On Remembrance Day, July 23, 2003, a small group of us honoured the day as well as the 60th anniversary of Salamaua, by trekking the old Black Cat Trail from Salamaua to Wau.
It was a five-day walk which started in Salamua on July 22 and ended in Wau on July 26.
Our thoughts were with the many soldiers and carriers of WW11 who lost their lives on this treacherous path in 1942 and 1943.
The old Black Cat Trail between Salamaua and Wau, Morobe Province, makes the Kokoda Trail seem like a Sunday arvo stroll in the park.
This is because it is not an established trail like Kokoda, on which hundreds of trekkers regularly tread, but a forgotten World War 11 course that passes through some of the toughest and most-hazardous terrain in the world.
Leech and snake-infested jungle, moss -covered rocks and fallen tree stumps, precarious cliff crossings, and potentially-dangerous river crossings make the Black Cat arguably one of the toughest tracks in PNG and the world.
It is recommended only for the very- fit and experienced trekker.
Some Australian soldiers have described the Black Cat as the hardest walk they’d ever done.
The Lonely Planet guidebook quotes a local expat as saying the Black cat is “suitable only for masochists and Israeli paratroopers”.
For those interested in WW11 history, the Black Cat Trail in the place for you, starting from the old gold mining town of Salamaua which was scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the war.
Old graves around Salamaua, which date back to the gold mining days, as well as Japanese tunnels and anti-aircraft guns, line the hill overlooking the isthmus.
Massive bomb craters from WW11 along the Black Cat Trail indicate the ferocity of the battles here in 1942.
The area also has magnificent flora and fauna.
Many soldiers and carriers of WW11 lost their lives on this treacherous path in 1942 and 1943.
Skin Diwai is a detour from the main Black Cat Trail – which continues on to Bitoi and eventually Wandumi village outside Wau - and is now the preferred choice of locals.
Skin Diwai was the site of a major Australian base during WW11 and is littered with live bombs, ammunition, other war junk including boots, and even the wreckage of a DC3.
For those interested in war history and relics, as well as untouched forests and flora and fauna, the Black Cat Trail is for you.

Earth Day falls on April 22

Earth Day - April 22 - each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina - an incident not acknowledged for 18 years.

 It was into such a world that the very first Earth Day was born.Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.” "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked."

Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of The Green Generation Campaign, which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010.With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend The Green Generation’s core principles:

•           A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal.

•           An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption.

•           Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

Australia woman trekker dies on the Kokoda Trail

A sad story from the Kokoda Trail in the lead-up to ANZAC Day next Saturday…

 

A WOMAN from Victoria, Australia has died during a family pilgrimage along the Kokoda Trail ahead of ANZAC Day, The National  reports.

Samantha Killen, 36, of Hamilton in the state’s southwest, was just one day into the arduous trek with her father, brother and a friend when she collapsed last Friday morning.

It was believed she was suffering from dehydration, but the cause of death remained unclear yesterday.

Ms Killen, who worked at the ANZ Bank in Hamilton, had a daughter and son aged under five. They are with her husband Deon.

A relative yesterday declined to comment because the family was still too traumatised.

Like many other Australians, the Killen family was attempting the 96km walk to commemorate the loss of more than 600 Australian soldiers in some of the fiercest fighting of World War II.

Ms Killen’s group reportedly hoped to finish the walk in time for Anzac Day this Saturday.

A spokesman from the Australian foreign affairs and trade department confirmed that a Victorian woman had died while walking the trail.

“Consular officers from the High Commission in Port Moresby are providing consular assistance to the woman’s relatives and a friend who were accompanying her on the track,” he said.

Former executive officer of the Kokoda Track Authority Warren Bartlett had heard from one tour guide, Dik Knight, that the woman was one of about half a dozen hikers seen to be struggling last Friday morning.

“Everyone was in really bad condition,” Mr Bartlett said.

“Apparently, the woman while having breakfast, complained that she felt dizzy when she got up.

“She sat down but she got up again and continued walking but collapsed and died along the track.”

Mr Knight, who was walking in the opposite direction, believed he had been talking to Ms Killen at the Va’ Ule Creek campsite and her group the night before she died and they seemed in good spirits.

When Mr Knight last saw Ms Killen’s group, they were preparing for the eight-hour trek up the demanding Ioribaiwa Ridge.