THE provincial wildlife and conservation officer from the Oro province is concerned over the habitat of the largest butterfly in the world – the Queen Alexandra butterfly.
Reason: It is under threat as communities turn to economical initiatives in place of conservation.
Eddie Malaisa raised this concern yesterday in an open forum discussing conservation communities.
He told participants of the conference on nature conservation and protected areas of the need to protect the habitat of the largest butterfly but at the same time look after the needs of the communities involved in conservation.
In an interview later, Mr Malaisa said so far seven conservation habitats have been lost because the landowners had turned to commercial farming of oil palm and other crops for their economic livelihood.
“There is an urgent need for governments to recognise the landowners in conservation areas like Oro province where the largest butterfly in the world lives.
“There is a need to link the communities with governments so such people are recognised for their efforts in conservation and that they are rewarded financially to sustain their living,” Mr Malaisa said.