This report, commissioned by Friends of the Sepik, presents a new
look at the question of sustainable development in Papua New
Guinea's tropical forests.
The Hunstein Range in PNG's remote Sepik River region has some of
the most biodiverse forests on the Pacific. Yet it also faces
PNG's largest timber operation. Forest dwelling communities have
worked with the authors to develop a plan for community action
towards sustainable enterprises, conservation and cultural
protection.
This report, written for the government of PNG and the peoples of
the Range, proposes a number of unique approaches to conservation
and development in Melanesia.
% Social and economic development as a route to biodiversity
protection.
% Marketing of non-timber forest products (including
fragrant barks, farmed cassowaries, gums and local artefacts).
% Conservation based on indigenous land use systems.
% Land use based on community consultation through exposure
tours and community workshops.
% Literacy as a tool in environmental education.
The following is a summary of the report and its findings:
______________________
AREA DESCRIPTION
Largely covered with tropical moist forest, the Hunstein Range
rises to 1544m above the Sepik plains and harbours a remarkably
wide range of little disturbed ecosystems. Biodiversity is
extremely high. Recent examination of one river valley has
identified 1237 flowering plants representing 112 families and 231
genera. 40 per cent of the collection is endemic to New Guinea
and as many as one quarter of these may be undescribed species.
The Range shows the Western-most extremities of a number of bird
and mammal species.
The people of the Hunstein Range - village based subsistence
farmers, sago processors and hunter/gatherers - maintain an
economy based largely on forest products.
Two separate languages -"Bitara" and "Bahinemo" - are spoken in
the area. As elsewhere in Melanesia, language groups in the
Hunstein Range are also political units and define land ownership
boundaries. Villages control tracts of land of up to 80 000 ha.
Health is a major problem with endemic malaria, skin disease and
alarmingly high infant mortality. Extremely high transport costs
mean that the few regional services are effectively unreachable.
Change is occurring with the increasing introduction of a cash
economy.
The Hunstein Range has been recommended as priority conservation
area in World Bank PNG Tropical Forest Action Plan Review. The
area is also proposed for a major forestry operation of 380 000
ha.
OPTIONS EXAMINED
The report examined the following options for development in the
Hunstein Range. Each was assessed for sustainability on economic,
social and ecological grounds.
1. Agriculture: Although incompletely reviewed, it is clear
that high transport costs, poor soils and an almost total absence
of infrastructure make plantation cropping unattractive in the
Hunstein Range.
2. Industrial Logging: High environmental and social costs
appear likely with industrial forestry operations along with
questionable sustainability. This option also excludes a number
of other sustainable enterprises.
3. Portable Sawmilling: A more sustainable and socially
beneficial enterprise, small scale milling has been strongly
endorsed by Hunstein Range villages. A marketing program is being
developed by the provincial government.
4. Sale of Carving Wood: Strong potential exists for an
industry to supply mid-Sepik carvers with wood.
5. Fragrant Bark Collection: Sustainable harvest of barks
for the perfume and liquer industry offers potential income and
incentive for conservation.
6. Copal Gum Production: Similarly the gum of the endemic
kauri pine can be tapped for sale.
7. Butterfly Farming: Potential exists to sustainably
harvest butterflies for a large worl d insect collectors market.
This industry is only viable with protection of tracts of intact
forest habitat.
8. Rattan Harvesting: Although a strong industry exists
elsewhere in the Sepik for cane production, high transport costs
mitigate against production in the Hunstein Range.
9. Orchid Farming
10. Ecotourism: the opportunity exists to combine existing
tourism facilities in the Se pik with international growth in
nature based travel.
11. Bilum Marketing: International markets have been
identified for bilums - traditi onal string bags. Revenue will
aid women.
12. Cassowary Farming: A highly lucrative industry is
available to supply demand in the Highlands for ceremonial birds.
13. Training of Artefact Sellers: Local representatives have
been chosen for training as advocates for sellers with Hanua
Craft, Port Moresby.
DIRECTIONS
Local conditions appear to favour niche marketing of high value,
low volume commodities such as artefacts, gums and fragrant barks.
A range of enterprises is proposed to overcome the vulnerability
of any one approach in the difficult business environment of the
Sepik.
Health improvement is proposed through strengthening of aid posts,
traditional medicine and support for village women's health
training. A literacy program has begun conducted by the East
Sepik Council of Women.
Conservation of biodiversity is proposed through a strengthening
of existing traditional conservation promoting land uses. Such
protection is a priority for many landowners and will provide the
basis for ecotourism.
Government and NGO strengthening is proposed to aid in the
delivery of recommended services and the establishment of
enterprises.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Any programs developed in the Hunstein Range must take
note of tok ples identity and seek to develop programs separately
for each tok ples.
2. Large scale industrial logging is inappropriate in the
delicate social and physical environment of the Hunstein Range.
3. External funding be sought to support proposals of the ESP
Div of Commerce to establish a portable sawmill timber marketing
program
4. Funding of initial tour by Hunstein Range residents to
identify possible buyers of carving woods in the middle Sepik.
5. A survey be undertaken of fragrant bark and copal tree
populations, silvicultural requirements, markets and potential
environmental impacts.
6. Investigation of butterfly farming option should the
Maprik laboratory be recommissioned.
7. Examination of rattan harvesting only should cane prices
rise substantially.
8. Further investigation of orchid farming in conjunction
with FSP (PNG).
9. Investigation of the international market potential for
Galip nuts as the first step in establishing an export industry.
10. Investigation of ecotourism promotion in conjunction with
existing Sepik tourist lodges, ESP Div of Culture and Tourism and
international conservation groups.
Ecotourism to be linked to the establishment of a nature
reserve.
11. Immediate support be provided for Hunstein Range women to
market bilums.
12. Environmental impact assessment and industry design be
undertaken of a potential cassowary farming industry.
13. One trainee each from the Bitara and Bahinemo tokples be
identified for a two month training placement with Hanua Craft,
Port Moresby in artefact sales. External funding be sought for
transport and living costs for the trainees.
14. A health and nutritional assessment tour be conducted by
the FOTS/ESCOW and the national Department of Health. External
funding be sought to strengthen aid posts and to enhance the
ability of aid post orderlies to conduct their duties.
15. Investigation and compilation of traditional medicines as
the basis for any health improvement program
16. External funding be sought for ESCOW, in conjunction with
the national Department of Health, to conduct a Marasin Meri
training program.
17. Shelters to be built in the villages of Bitara, Bugapuki,
Gahom and Kagiru to house pre- schools and literacy programs run
by ESCOW. Funding be sought to support Hunstein Range inhabitants
to attend the ESCOW literacy program and to fund further literacy
work in the region.
18. External support be sought for FOTS, in conjunction with
the Department of Environment and Conservation, to examine the
potential for a conservation area based on traditional
conservation-promoting land uses.
Recommendations for immediate action are in line with the
"Community Action Plan" developed by representatives of Hunstein
Range villages at a Landowners Conference held in Ambunti on the
4-6 November 1991.
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Copies of the Report are available from:
Australian Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific 9
Leichhardt Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Australia ph: 61.2.332
1036 fax: 61.2.361 6352
Friends of the Sepik 16 Twisaday House Colville Square London
W11 2BW England ph 44. 071 229 0200 fax 44. 284 827 078
Cost: GB# 5; AUS$ 8.
Further information in reg.newguinea [ on APC systems --Gary ]