REVEALING PAPUA'S RICH BIODIVERSITY INTERNATIONALLY by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 11, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia's eastern most island of Papua is one of the world's largest and highest tropical islands, which is incredibly diverse and different from any other on Earth.

        Papua Island, which consists of West Papua and Papua Provinces, is home to some 250 tribes that retain ancient traditional cultures, and over 250 indigenous languages and dialects.

        Having the world's remaining virgin tropical rainforests with vast biological diversity, the island is also home to endemic fauna such as possums, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, and endangered Long-beaked Echidna, in addition to birds of paradise or Cenderawasih, cassowaries, parrots, and cockatoos. It also has the world's longest lizards and largest butterflies.

       Its biodiversity includes 15000 to 20000 plant species (55 percent endemic), 2000 species of orchids, 602 species of birds (52 percent endemic), and 125 species of mammals (58 percent endemic), in addition to 223 species of reptiles and amphibia (35 percent endemic), 25 species of freshwater fish and 1200 species of marine fish, as well as an estimated 150,000 species of insects, according to the 2013 data of Papua Ecology.

        Large parts of the equatorial glacier fields in the highlands remain largely unexplored. Protected areas within Papua province include the Lorentz National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Wasur National Park, a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.

       In an effort to expose the natural uniqueness and richness, the Papua provincial government plans to invite foreign participants from four continents - America, Europe, Asia and Australia, to participate in an International Conference on Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism and Creative Economy (ICBE), from September 7 to 10, 2016.

         Some 750 foreign and Indonesian scientists, NGO activists, academicians and officials are expected to attend the conference, according to Elia Loupatty of the Papua administration secretariat.

        The organizing committee has sent invitations, among other things, to the United States, Britain, Brazil, and Spain, in addition to Australia, Japan, China, South Korea and Papua New Guinea.

         Eight or nine of the foreign participants will be scientists and researchers who had studied biodiversity or culture in Papua.

        The theme of the conference will be "Biodiversity and Ecotourism Papua Economic Solutions", while its sub-theme will be "Utilize Natural Resources, Increase Livelihood Protect the Golden Generation of Papua."
    The scope of the conference activities will include a scientific seminar on the Potential Development on Biodiversity, Eco-tourism, and the Creative Economy; exhibitions of cultural and creative economy on biodiversity and eco-tourism of native Papuans in the five customary Regions of Papua; a cultural festival of native Papua that will feature local dances, songs, folklore, along with a field trip  to some cultural or historical locations, and places of recreation in the Humboldt Bay, Sentani Lake and Northern Beach area.

          Papua will also highlight its eco-tourism potential and the local people's economic development during the gathering.

          The island is blessed with natural wealth and extraordinary diversity of ecosystems, which are contained in the forest, and coastal and marine, as well as mineral resources, Loupatty said.  
    Papua's biodiversity encompasses half of Indonesia's biodiversity, particularly the endemic flora and fauna that is only found on this island, she remarked.

         The conference is aimed at evaluating the potential of biodiversity and ecotourism in Papua, explained Head of Papua Province's Environmental Management Agency Noak Kapisa.

          "In addition, the conference is also aimed at promoting ecosystem services and culture as assets of ecotourism, as well as driving the creative economy based upon biodiversity and ecotourism to support the welfare of the indigenous people of Papua," he stated.

          Among the best eco-tourism resorts on Papua Island is Raja Ampat, often called "Heaven on Earth", "Miracle of Papua", "Underwater Paradise on Earth", or "Real Wonder of the World" for its mesmerizing marine panorama.

             Raja Ampat, which literally means "Four Kings," is located in West Papua Province and situated in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity.

            The Raja Ampat archipelago encompasses 15 thousand square miles of land and sea. There are around 1.8 thousand isles in Raja Ampat District.

           The name Raja Ampat or "Four Kings" is derived from a local myth. It has four major islands: Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool, which are home to ancient rock paintings.

             The waters of Raja Ampat have approximately 603 hard coral species, representing 75 percent of the total coral reefs in the world, according to the information posted on www.rajaampatlodge.com.

            Based on various studies by the world natural conservation agencies, such as Conservation International and Nature Conservancy, the Raja Ampat waters are estimated to have 1397 fish species. The waters of Raja Ampat are also called "Capital for Fish in the World."
    There are also 60 varieties of crayfish, 699 types of soft animals or species of mollusks, comprising 530 species of snails (Gastropoda), 159 species of shells (bivalva), two species of Scaphopoda, five species of squid (Cephalopoda), and three Chiton species. ***3***
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