PNG’s half of biodiversity undiscovered: Park official

HALF the country’s biodiversity is yet to be discovered, says Port Moresby Nature Park education manager Shirley Mogi.
She told visiting tourism and hospitality students from Lasalle Technical College in Port Moresby that much of the country’s natural environment was still intact, rich with flora and fauna with a huge potential for ecotourism.
The students’ trip to the park was to enable them to learn about ecotourism and how to operate ecotourism attractions.
“Fifty per cent of the country’s biodiversity is yet to be discovered and that puts Papua New Guinea in a great position as we still have most of our natural environment intact, rich with flora and fauna which are vital in operating and promoting an ecotourism attraction,” she said.
“PNG is a country rich in biodiversity.
“While it occupies only one per cent landmass of the earth’s surface, seven per cent of the world’s biodiversity is found here in PNG.”
According to the Port Moresby Nature Park, ecotourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people.