Kokoda military heritage development plan marks new preservation era

TOURISM, Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur says the development of the military heritage management plan for the Kokoda Track marks a new era for the preservation, interpretation and commemoration of the shared war histories between PNG and Australia.
Tammur, who was unable to make it to Port Moresby yesterday to launch the plan, said in a statement that the plan marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would keep the National Museum and Art Gallery and its partner institution busy for years to come.
Tammur said local communities were the custodian of the Kokoda Track and the plan acknowledged the central role of two key stakeholder groups — the local communities and the trekking and tourism industry in the country.
He said the historical items that were scattered along the Kokoda Track and beyond were not just remnants from the war.
“They are treasures and memories of an event that prompted the emergence of our nations, and the memories and the stories of the war must be preserved.
“The historic sites and artefact of the war serve as touchstones of these memories,” Tammur said.
He said the artefacts and the historic sites along the Kokoda Track must therefore also be preserved to anchor the narratives and to provide visitors with tangible connections to the histories of the war.
Tammur said locals were the custodians of the physical heritage of the Kokoda Campaign and carriers of memories that made up a priceless oral history.
The plan was one that captured the interest of local communities as well as the trekking and tourism industry.