Communities’ interest in conservation crucial for protected areas: Officer

By LULU MARK
THE local communities’ desire and interest in conservation is crucial in setting up protected areas in the country, officials say. Speaking during Papua New Guinea’s first Protected Area Forum, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority’s (Cepa) marine protected area branch manager Benard Suruman said protected area network across land and sea safeguarded the precious and outstanding natural and cultural heritage. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a protected area is “a clearly defined geographical space recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values”. Suruman said there were six classes of protected area. They are: national park, national heritage area (terrestrial or marine), special management area (terrestrial or marine), community conservation area, locally managed marine area and national marine sanctuary.