LocationsThe Kuglkane Tribe of Mitnande Local Level Government made history when their leaders signed a conservation deed to protect an estimated 9000 hectares of customary land in Kundiawa Gembogl District, Simbu Province, on October 24.
Community-led conservation initiative leads to signing of conservation deed
October 29, 2024
The community gathered at Kurumugl Village to witness the signing of the conservation deed by their community leaders.
Clive Hawigen | UNDP Papua New Guinea
Witnessed by over a thousand people, the tribe gathered at Kurumugl Village, to pledge their commitment to conservation through the Kuglkane Protected Sustainable Management Area (KPSMA). The conservation deed will be implemented through a set of guidelines and rules developed by the community to safeguard their natural resources.
Community leader and Chairman of the KPSMA, Mr. Ben Gende, said the conservation deed will help protect native tree species and endangered birds whose feathers are being used in traditional attires. In the past decades, this unique biodiversity has been threatened by increasing population and unsustainable and uncontrolled forms of resource extraction in the district.
“We are happy to sign the deed. We have a strong team in our community to support our conservation efforts and to implement the rules and regulations contained in the deed that we developed for the community,” Mr. Gende stated.
A community leader signing the conservation deed
Clive Hawigen | UNDP Papua New Guinea
The community’s effort to preserve their environment were made possible through the Global Environment Facility funded ‘Sustainable Financing of PNG Protected Areas Network’ project, which is jointly implemented by UNDP, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Simbu Provincial Government and the Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
UNDP Papua New Guinea Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Aadil Mansoor, who attended the signing ceremony, congratulated the community for the remarkable achievement. “This demonstrates a commitment to the future of your children who will benefit from the signing today. Signing this deed will help cultivate a culture of peace, both between communities and with nature,” Mr. Mansoor stated.
James Sabi from CEPA, acknowledged the Simbu Provincial Administration for allowing the Project to be implemented in the province. He emphasized the importance of CEPA’s partnership with the provincial government and UNDP on such initiatives.
Two other major tribes from Gembogl District, the Inaugl and the Denglagu Maugagl, also attended the signing ceremony. Both tribes have also signed community conservation deeds for their customary land. Together, the conservation areas of all three tribes will cover almost the entirety of Mitnande Local Level Government boundary, thus making it the only LLG covered by community-led conservation deeds in the country.
