Biological and cultural diversity in Papua New Guinea: conservation, conflicts, constraints and compromise

This paper describes features of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in Papua New Guinea, current efforts at local, national and international levels to conserve species-rich areas and the socioeconomic and cultural constraints and conflicts behind those efforts. Undocumented customary land tenure, resource development and environmental degradation and the growth in human populations and their aspirations are identified as issues requiring specific solutions. Education, financial support for conservation initiatives and poor information transfer from gatherers to decision-makers are impediments to achieving ecological sustainability. Conflict resolution lies in the design of conservation measures specifically appropriate to PNG. Compromise is required between the advantages of coordination at the national level (top-down) and those gained through initiatives stimulated through dialogue with stakeholders (bottom-up). Education (both formal and informal) and the dissemination of relevant information are regarded as keystones in conservation efforts. Conservation agencies should prepare sustainable development plans for areas regarded as worthy of conservation and incorporate the biological merits, social impacts and sustainable economic potential of selected areas.