Minister backs Mauberema’s 10-year conservation effort

Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Kaupa has pledged government support for conservation and eco-tourism initiatives at Mauberema Ecotourism Lodge in Simbu Province.

Minister Kaupa made a special visit to Mauberema on Saturday, October 31, following his absence from the official opening of the 7th Mauberema Show and 10th anniversary celebrations on Friday due to other official engagements in Western Highlands Provi

He was accompanied by the department’s First Assistant Secretary, Jack Ninkama, who commended the Mauberema community for its continued commitment to conservation and eco-tourism.

Mr Ninkama said the work being carried out at Mauberema reflected the type of conservation model the department wanted to see replicated across Papua New Guinea.

Minister Kaupa also commended local conservation champion Moses Kerry and his team for their dedication in sustaining conservation efforts over the past 10 years and successfully staging seven Mauberema Shows.

He said Mauberema stood alongside other national conservation models in Papua New Guinea.

The minister said his ministry, through the Climate Change and Development Authority [CCDA] and its development partners, would assist the community to further strengthen its conservation work.

He highlighted the importance of protecting forests to safeguard water sources, pointing to the continued availability of clean, fresh water for people in Dirima and communities along the road to Mauberema.

Minister Kaupa said he had known these communities since childhood and observed that their water supply had remained clean and abundant because of their efforts to protect the rainforest.

He described this as an example of effective conservation, declaring that the “Mauberema Way is the right way”.

Meanwhile, Mauberema is also attracting international research interest, with a PhD researcher currently studying birds and their behaviour in the local forest.