Number of protected areas in country increasing, says UNDP representative

THE number of protected areas in the country is increasing, with around two million hectares now protected, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP resident representative Dirk Wagener said Papua New Guinea was one of 17 most diverse countries in the world. “It secures 10 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and only 1 per cent of the planet’s landmass. That’s truly outstanding,” Wagener said. “Protecting key areas of biodiversity is critical to preserving our livelihood.” He said Papua New Guinea had experienced a gradual growth in protected areas with more than two million hectares today – equating to 4 per cent of the land and 1 per cent of the marine space. Wagener urged PNG to use the International Conference on Museums Heritage Conservation in Paris in August to call for action from donors to support its aspirations. He said the UNDP had supported PNG over the years and would continue to do so. One of the key initiatives is drafting the protected area policy released yesterday in partnership with the Conservation Environment and Protection Authority (Cepa).  It also through the partnership with Cepa developed the protected area policy implementation plan.