Inaina Wildlife Management Area
It began as an initiative if a visionary Clan Leader in opposing a scam SABL operation for industrial large-scale logging in the area and on their clan land measuring 9,712.20 hectares. The Fagagara clan from Inaina in the Kairuku Hiri District of Central Province, approached DEC/CEPA and DCD for REDD+ projects and eventually, CEPA invited PWM to be a partner in 2011 in what was a mere call for support in stopping the logging operations. After successfully halting the logging operations, the success story was an opportunity for concrete conservation efforts in protecting the area from the dangers of logging and other industrial developments including Oil Palm. Guided by the “Flora and Fauna Protection Act” PWM began the community consultation process, mobilizing and creating awareness on environment protection and biodiversity conservation as opposed to industrial, large-scale developments. In exactly five (5) years of PWM’s involvement, Inaina was declared as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on the 23rd March 2017, after having passed all the requirements set by the government’s Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in accordance with the “Flora and Fauna Protection Act”.
PWM is now working with the local communities to put in place a WMA Management Plan and a WMA Management Committee to oversee the management of the WMA, while at the same time, assisting to set up a focal body to coordinate conservation efforts and alternative income generation options in the WMA. The capacity of the local focal body is at this stage is paramount as ongoing plans are in place. Simultaneously, PWM is mindful that the WMA status will lapse in 5 years, thus PWM is engaging in dialogue with CEPA to ensure the WMA or whatever form of conservation status under the New Protected Area Policy of Government, remains true for the people of Inaina and their future generations so that PWM’s efforts from 2011 to now si not wasted. In addition, other clan and nearby communities are expressing interest to extend the WMA boundaries so they can be included so this gives the local CBO (Fagagara Development Foundation Inc.) and PWM to initiate the process with CEPA for these clans and nearby communities to be included and the current WMA area with their land areas as extensions to the current WMA boundary and over the next five (5) year, it can be developed into a bigger conservation area under Protected Area Policy. It is also in the plans of PWM that, Inaina WMA with its close proximity to Port Moresby, with pristine unlogged rainforest and biodiversity with clean fresh water and lots of birdlife, the area conference facilities and other facilities, so that the Centre and Spin-of activities can financially support the management of the WMA and provide opportunities for local employment and this can further the motivation of the local communities to ensure protection and conservation of the WMA is maintained.