05 Mar 2007 - Ambunti,
Papua New Guinea – A two-day festival in
eastern Papua New Guinea celebrated the
region’s pristine environment and wildlife.
The WWF-supported crocodile festival in
East Sepik highlighted the importance of
crocodile conservation and the species’
habitat along the Sepik River, one of the
largest unpolluted rivers in the Asia-Pacific
region.
The Sepik River is home to some of the
world’s largest freshwater and saltwater
crocodile populations. However, both species
are threatened by ongoing mining, logging
and agricultural activities, as well as
the dangers of commercial exploitation of
crocodile skin and eggs.
“Crocodiles are important part of the region’s
ecosystem,” said David Peter, the freshwater
programme manager at WWF Papua New Guinea.
“The festival was intended to increase
local enthusiasm for conservation and an
opportunity to let communities learn about
the importance of sustainable development.”
At the festival WWF released a publication
on nature and community tourism along the
Sepik, a travel guide to one of the world’s
most important centres of biological and
cultural diversity.
The launch of the publication represents
a new initiative by WWF to promote community
tourism and conservation in the region.
By visiting the villages, tourists will
directly help improve people’s lives. The
income communities earn from eco-tourism
activities, for example, will go directly
to paying school fees and buying medicines.
“The promotion of community tourism in
the Sepik is absolutely imperative,” stressed
Peter. “If people can see the economic value
in conserving the diverse culture and biodiversity
of this region, they are less likely to
destroy it.”
Lydia Kaia, Communications Officer
WWF Papua New Guinea
