25/11/2005
- Coral reefs, rainforests and primates will be among
the threatened species and habitats in the Asia Pacific
region that will be better protected, thanks to a helping
hand from the Australian Government.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, today invited applications for the third round
of funding for the Australian Government’s programme to
help conserve biodiversity hotspots in South-East Asia
and the Pacific.
Senator Campbell said the Regional Natural Heritage Programme
(RNHP) was a three-year, $10 million grant programme to
help conserve biodiversity hotspots in Australia’s region
which are dangerously close to destruction.
“The previous two rounds of funding from the RNHP have
already helped to protect some of the most threatened
species and habitats in hotspots in the Asia-Pacific region,”
Senator Campbell said.
“Through the Australian Government’s investment in regional
biodiversity we are funding 18 projects including the
protection of orang-utans in Indonesia, coral reefs near
PNG, Fijian rainforests and one of the most endangered
primates in the world, the Cat Ba Langur, in Vietnam.
“The 2005-06 funding round will extend this vitally important
work in our region and we look forward to supporting our
neighbours in their efforts to save their outstanding
natural heritage.
“Australia’s leadership in conserving regional biodiversity
through this exciting programme has had real, practical,
ground level benefits to the area. For example, in Vietnam
three schools have been able to set up nature clubs to
teach children about protecting the environment in the
Tam Dao National Park area.
“In Cambodia an outreach project has led to thousands
of people being taught about elephant conservation. And
in Fiji significant progress is being made to protect
the critically endangered Fiji petrel.
“All these projects, no matter how large or small, are
having a positive impact in the region and I look forward
to announcing the successful recipients of this third
round of funding.”
Grants for RNHP between $10,000 and $500,000 are now invited
from organisations actively involved in biodiversity conservation
projects in South-East Asia and the Pacific.
RNHP was launched by the Prime Minister on 18 February
2004, and applications for the third funding round close
on 6 January 2006.
Further information about the Australian Government’s
Regional Natural Heritage Programme visit
www.deh.gov.au/heritage/programs/index.html#rnhp