Scientific body calls for more research support in PNG

Caption: New Guinea Binatang Research staff specialized technicians that do plant and insect studies working in Wanang Conservation Area, Madang.





By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)





AN international biological conference held in Cairns, hosted by James Cook University have made specific declarations- calling on the Government of PNG to support research efforts into the country’s rich biodiversity.

The Association for Tropical Biology & Conservation (ATBC) is the largest organization in the world for the study of biology and conservation across the world, especially in tropical countries.

More than 600 scientists from 55 countries, comprising of academics and researchers from all major universities and institutions in the world attended the event.

They conduct annual conferences to share ideas, teach students, build collaboration and strengthen biodiversity conservation.

This year’s conference was hosted by the James Cook University in Cairns, Australia for scientists identify key issues in biodiversity research and conservation and call on governments to act or include in their policies.

Deputy Director for New Guinea Binatang Research Center, and first PNG country representative to the ATBC, Pagi Toko, said that the conference has many world renowned biologists who were all keen to know about PNG biodiversity.

The recent convention in cairns brought scientists to see that PNG is a diverse but lacks research. That’s why they made the declaration to inform PNG.

“Many scientists marvel at the PNG biodiversity- unfortunately, it was a shame not many Papua New Guineans were present,” Toko said.

“It was painful to learn that our country is so rich yet the government is not providing a state funding to support research.”

“Many scientists marvel at the PNG biodiversity, yet it is a shame that our country is so rich yet the government is not providing state funding to support research.”

The declaration was proposed by all the PNG associated biologists headed by Prof Vojtech Novotny who is one of the world's leading tropical biologists, based in Madang and the Czech Republic.

“We call on the Government of Papua New Guinea to provide new funding initiatives to support the training of the next generation of Papua New Guinean biologists,” the declaration read.

“A better system of funding is also needed if established researchers are to continue exploring the biota.”

“These initiatives are essential for the documentation, understanding and protection of the globally important PNG biodiversity.”

The declaration call for the following:

• Urges the Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen the PNG Research, Science and Technology Secretariat and to establish competitive funding mechanism for biodiversity research open to all Papua New Guineans from government and non-governmental research organizations.

• Implores the Government of Papua New Guinea to expand the number of studentships available for postgraduate biology students;

• Government of Papua New Guinea to create a network of Conservation Areas by approving pending proposals for the Managalas, Wanang, Torricelli and Sulamesi Conservation areas, by increasing the number of protected areas and designating, together with the landowners, additional Conservation Areas representing all principal ecosystems in Papua New Guinea.

• PNG Government to promote the effective management of protected areas and Conservation Areas.

· Encourages the Government of Papua New Guinea to compensate landowners with royalties for their conservation set-asides and assist them with sustainable development projects.

• Encourages private enterprise within Papua New Guinea to support the Government in its efforts to promote the study and preservation of the country’s biodiversity.

• Encourages the PNG government to seek international collaboration with scientists and conservationists to achieve the above mentioned goals.

The ATBC, however, congratulates the Government of Papua New Guinea for initiating the establishment of a biologically representative network of Conservation Areas in collaboration with the traditional landowners.