Mt Elimbari declared conservation area

THE Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change has declared Mt Elimbari in Chuave, Chimbu, a national conservation area.
The declaration is part of the country’s contribution towards the global climate change effort.
Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori and climate change development authority managing director Ruel Yamuna made the declaration at the foot of Mt Elimbari recently.
Mori said the declaration underlined the government’s focus on conservation and protecting the environment.
He said his department would roll out all the necessary protocols to ensure Chimbu’s second highest peak was protected in terms of its vegetation and animal life.
Mori said the construction of a lodge in the area would promote eco-tourism.
He said one of the attractions was the Yomba tree that took 300 to 400 years to mature.
Meanwhile, Mori said as part of preparations for a meeting on climate change in the United Kingdom in November, they would be touring the country to carry out awareness on protecting PNG’s pristine biodiversity
Yamuna said climate change was a global challenge that could first be addressed by acting locally.
He said the authority would carry out tree planting projects and eco-tourism projects alongside the conservation and environment protection authority.
“We have submitted a national determination contribution paper last year, launched by PM James Marape,” he said.