Community Signs deal to protect forests

 A MANUS community has signed an agreement with a non-government organisation to protect forests and ensure long-term sustainable benefits for the people.

The people of Njeckal signed the agreement with Wildlife Conservation Society PNG last week. The two-year contract is “based on trust and respect for one another” to achieve the conservation of Manus’ forests.

Under the agreement, the organisation will provide materials and guidance for specific community projects.

The community will not allow large-scale logging in their customary land boundaries. They will manage their land under a community land use plan.

The parties will then develop a land use plan to guide conservation and development on the land.

The plan will be integrated into the ward development plan.

Society community engagement manager Charles Daniel said he was happy that they would achieve the motto “Empower people with health forest and seas” through the agreement.