THE Pamahima tribal community, the National and Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG), Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO’s) Integrated Forest Management Project (IFMP), Ecological Solution Foundation (ESF) and partners convened on February 27 to celebrate the launch and the declaration of the Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area (PTFPA) in Arohane Village in Central Makira.
This is the first Protected Area launch for MUP after two sites – PTFPA and Waihita Conservation and Protected Area (WCPA) – were gazetted on the 10 September 2024 by the Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).
The Protected Area spans 350 hectares of forest area.
The Protected Area Management Committee organised the programme with the support of its partners.
MECDM was represented by the Director and officials of the Environment and Conservation Division who flew in to officiate the historic event.
During the launch, PTFPA Chairman Paul Taniara reiterated that the journey was not easy.
“It took a very long time to arrive at this achievement. We are so thankful to all the stakeholders that have supported us throughout. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Ecological Solution Foundation which has led us on this journey as well as the Integrated Forest Management Project (IFMP) under the FAO of the United Nations, which has resourced the implementation of activities in the PA process but as well as the technical guidance from Environment and Conservation Division of MECDM”.
MUPG, through its Provincial Secretary Peter Trenor, acknowledged the effort put together by all the stakeholders.
Mr Trenor highlighted MUPG support towards such partnerships that culminated into success stories as seen with Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area.
“The MUP through the leadership of the Provincial Premier are in full support of such initiative and we look forward to more of such established grouping within the province on both terrestrial and marine areas soon” such as the sighting of the newly found largest coral species in the world at the Three Sisters”.
The Deputy Premier Steve Ngara and Members of the Provincial Assembly also attended to witness the first Protected Area launch for the province.
The lead supporting local NGO – ESF was represented by Hensllyn Boseto who stated that “we have gone through an awfully extensive period of time. In spite of that, the passion and commitment shown by the tribal community eager to see this through has come to fruition. This must truly be celebrated in some big ways.”
The FAO IFM Project has supported the process financially for the community to meet its legal requirements. The project’s Chief Technical Advisor to the IFM Project, Dicken Bueno Sande, thanked the Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area Management committee for their wisdom and leadership, to not just conservation, but also the vision they have for the generations to come.
He said, “Today we experience so much pressure on the use of our natural resources for sustenance but there is also the future, especially that of our children and their children to come, that we need to make resources available for”.
Director of MECDM’s Environment and Conservation Division, Josef Hurutarau, in handing over the official certificate of the Protected Area (signed by the Minister of MECDM), thanked the Community (PTFPA), Chiefs, leaders, and their partners for their dedication and commitment to accomplishing the Protected Area (PA) status.
He said it is a milestone achievement for PTFPA, MUP, MECDM-IFMP and all their partners.
Mr Hurutarau also assured the community of the legal protection of the site under the Protected Areas Act 2010 due to its biological significance.
He called for more collaboration and partner support as this is only the beginning of the implementation of this protection.
Mr Hurutarau assured the PTFPA of his ministry’s support as the site is now protected under the law administered by his Division (Environment & Conservation Division).
“With this declaration, the Pamahima Tribal Forest Protected Area Management Committee will be supported as it becomes a legal body to manage the site. They will be supported by a team of PA Rangers who will be trained and reminded of their roles and responsibilities under the law and their management plan. They will also be issued with formal identification insignias.”
The ceremony ended on a high note with celebration and feasting.
MECDM, MUP, IFMP, and ESF are looking forward to a few more celebrations shortly to mark the official legal protection of the sites in the province, with WCPA becoming the second site to be officially launched.
– MECDM
