DEC presents awareness report

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Source:

The National, Mondy 14th November 2011

THE Minister for Environment and Conservation, Thompson Harokaqveh, recently accepted a government report on an environmental awareness patrol which is the first of its kind conducted by a combined government team.
The report titled “The combined PNG government – Hidden Valley joint venture community consultations on environmental audit report among the Wa­tut and Markham River communities – August 2011”, was received on behalf of the government and the people of Morobe.
The report was presented to Harokaqveh by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) deputy secretary for environment protection, Michael Wau, on behalf of the secretary Dr Wari Lea Iamo, in Lae, Morobe during a workshop conducted to accept the report and endorse the consultative action plan emanating out of the exer­cise.
It was the result of the consultations by the  parties who visited the river communities, collected vital information on issues and concerns regarding the impact of mining activities on their communities.
The field trip took two weeks, travelling through rough terrains on foot, dinghies and by helicopter where there was no access roads or river systems.
All findings were cate­gorised as concerns and issues under the following order; Environment, Health/Social, Food security, Services, MoA, Compensation, Policy/Government matters and Economical impacts as in the impact of sedimentation on household income from alluvial mining.
The minister thanked all stakeholders for compiling the report with its action plans and encouraged all present at the workshop to discuss the Stakeholder Action Plan Matrix as the way forward in resolving the matters of concern and issues highlighted by the communities.
Witnessing the acceptance of the report by the Minister were community leaders of the upper, middle and lower Watut and Markham regions, LLGs, provincial and national government leaders, mining officials and the media.
Information on this report can be obtained from Department of Environment, Tony Kuman or Goro Arigae on 301 4500.