PNG needs guidelines for preserving biodiversity

By MELYNE BAROI
THERE is a need for a localised guideline to enhance the identification of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in Papua New Guinea, an official says.
Terrestrial conservation coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Services John Lamaris said the benefits that were delivered to the people were not incorporated in the KBA guideline by the International Union for Conservation and Nature and Natural Resources.
“The guideline was updated in 2016 but the criteria generally covers international standards and does not apply well in the Papua New Guinean context,” he said.
Lamaris said the relationship between local people and the environment was important to Melanesian culture.
“The guideline looks at two major factors that qualifies an area to be a KBA and these are threat and irreplaceability of natural resources,” he said.
“However, for PNG, the cultural significance of natural resources to local people is part of their day to day life in terms of food and customs. We would suggest that a national preservation guide should be integrated in the KBA guideline.”