Title: Island Region Environmental Programme

Project number: B -7 5041/94.02/VIII/FOR

Amount: 5.000.000 ECU

Contractor: Department of Finance and planning - Waigani Papua New Guinea

Field: Sustainable development, conservation

Country: Island region of Papua New Guinea, focussing initially on New Britain

Date of signature: 11/11/94

Duration: 4 years

Objectives:

1. To promote income earning possibilities compatible with sustainable development in the Island Region of PNG.
2. To conserve areas of natural beauty and biodiversity

Activities:

• Establishment of community based sustainable forestry operations;
• Establishment of community based ecotourism facilities;
• Measures to conserve areas of environmental value;
• Construction of office and other required spaces;
• Supply of equipment.

Results expected:

• Heightened environmental awareness in the local communities.
• Development of community based sustainable forestry activities on a pilot basis.
• Development of ecotourism.
• Areas of natural beauty conserved.
• Development and identification of other compatible income generating non timber forest products and processing options.

Beneficiaries:

Landowners

Implementation strategy:

• The programme falls under the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
• A Programme Manager is responsible for the management and day to day administration of the actions foreseen.
• A Programme Coordinator ensure that the financial agreement between the EC and the PNG Government is respected.
• A Steering Committee review progress with implementation and take decisions to ensure the effectiveness of the Programme in accordance with his objectives.
• Working committees coordinate the implementation of the programme at provincial level, discuss measures to be taken, ensure that all the relevant parties are consulted, and resolve all problems that may arise in relation to the programme.

The report for the period from 21st August to 31st December 1995, dated 06/05/96, show that the programme is progressing well in regard to the activities carried out:

1. concerning the "Community based Eco-forestry" the programme has successfully made contact with landowners in most of the remaining non-logged areas in New Britain;
2. concerning the "construction of the nature centre" it is expected that the building programme will be officially open around the end of September;
3. concerning the "recruitment of a staff", an administrator has been recruited in order to coordinate the completion of the nature centre. It is expected to employ as soon as possible an accountant, a business development officer and more practical trainers.

Conclusions underline that 1995 has been the establishment year for the programme with efforts going into procurement, staff recruitment, establishment of a programme base and of making contact with a large number of landowners.