Environment needs care

WITH the increase in demand for resources, there is a need to protect the environment in order to enable the continuity of the unique biodiversity, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Geoffrey Kama.
Kama and Central governor Robert Agarobe signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a marine protected area at Mirigeda outside Port Moresby on Friday.
Conservation Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) piloted two projects under the Cepa-Jica biodiversity project 2015-2020, which included the Variarata National Park to implement the national protected areas policy.
Kama said the agreement would strengthen the partnership between the two agencies for the protection of mangroves and marine resources in Mirigeda and Bootless Bay along the East Hiri coast.
He said Cepa and Jica would work with the Central government to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity including genetic resources, its complex ecosystems and ecological processes.
He said the bay was home to a wide array of flora and fauna which included 24 species of mangrove trees.
Kama said the mangrove ecosystem was an important breeding ground for fish and other marine animals and crucial for the people’s livelihood.
However, Kama said the ecosystem was at a risk of degradation due to unsustainable infrastructure developments, over exploitation of resources and other human activities.
He said the environment was affected by rising population density and natural phenomena such as climate change, pests and diseases hence, there was an urgent need to protect these vulnerable ecosystems.
Kama said the environment needed to be managed in such a way that the natural beauty of the marine ecosystem and the species found within it were conserved for future generations.
He thanked the people for partnering with the organisations and the Central government for providing the leadership.
Agarobe said the protection of the environment was an important agenda as it concerned the land and the people.