Caption: (Center)
OCCD Executive Director Varigini Badira planting mangroves to signify the
launch of the Mangrove Foundation.
By MATTHEW VARI
IN the country’s response to the extreme climate changes currently experienced in the country- the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) in collaboration with the Central Provincial Government through the Rigo Central LLG launched the National Mangrove Foundation and PNG Climate Change Adaptation Small Grants Program during the week at Manugoro village along the Magi Highway.
Despite the absence of important guests like the Minister for Environment and Conservation John Pundari and the matron for the Foundation and wife to the PM, Linda Babao O’Neill due to the heavy downpour that flooded the highway, Executive Director for OCCD, Varigini Badira, told villagers and other guests that the conditions were right to launch such initiatives.
“The Mangrove Foundation is a very important foundation that the country is setting up- the global community recognizes the importance that mangroves plays in a coastal eco system,” Mr Badia said.
“Mangrove is a very unique plant, because of its ability to grow in salt water and stay up on land as well, growing between the terrestrial and marine environment.”
“Science has proven that mangrove physiology, the way they have evolved is very unique- to live in harsh environment taking in four times more carbon than its terrestrial counterparts.”
He said that basis of climate change is global warming, and the basis of global warming is too much excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
“Our country does not see it and we in the community can’t see it, but developed countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia who base their country’s generation on burning fossil fuels have contributed so much to it.”
“Mangrove absorb four time more carbon than other plants, you plant more and look after them we will save our planet.”
“Not only that but the climate within the communities close to the trees will benefit from increase marine life for their livelihoods and consumption.”
He said it was vital for the communities where the mangroves are to be supported, and the foundation is the very reason it has been established to support our people to make that change happen.
“Matron of the foundation is our first lady Lynda Babao O’Neill who along with our minister will hand over some resources along with the mangrove planting.”
“Those are the aim of the foundation to garner the global support of not only the work of our people- it is the international asset that we are trying to look after.”
“The mangroves here not only belong to the people of Manugoro but also belong to the global community as we are providing that clean air,” Badira added.
Mangroves in the country are some of the most bio-diverse found anywhere in the world. Of the 47 recognized species found, 38 of them are found in PNG- garnering interest from NGOs coming in to support conservation efforts in 7 other provinces in the country.
Mr Badira also launched the PNG Climate Change Adaptation small grants program that his office and the ministry recognizes a lot of people that need support to do small environment conservation projects.
“The program will support the existing traditional knowledge systems that can be used to implement adaptation measures.”
“People using traditional knowledge to identify a season for a particular activity to happen, and we need to now start incorporating our old traditional systems and knowledge, how to manage land.”
He concluded that the village will also be home to the country’s first Mangrove Educational Park for educational trip for school children from the nation’s capital to learn about the ecology of mangroves.
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