Maramatana LLG passes proposal on environment

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
A LOCAL community in Milne Bay province has taken on environment conservation by accepting the environmental law to protect their natural habitat.
Twenty-nine wards in the Maramatana local level government passed the proposal on Feb 28 after basic awareness on habitat conservation was conducted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under Conservation International (CI). 
Council president James Rubeni said: “We now understood Conversation International’s effort and want to apply similar programmes in our ward areas to safeguard our natural habitat, be it in the sea or on land.”
Initial work started in 1997 with surveys, research and awareness but was halted in 2003 because of land conflict among locals.
However, continuous funding support from UNDP and the US government plus committed CI workers resulted in the passing of the law. 
“Working with local communities was tough and there were a lot of challenges and constraints faced.
However, a lot of effort and dedication from CI, community members and continuous funding support, the CI Milne Bay marine programme has achieved this great milestone,” marine biologist Noel Wangunu said.
The law covers the NuakataIabam-Pahilele community managed marine project, which is now a marine protected area.
The law has to go through the provincial and national level before it is fully recognised.