THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT POST I HAVE EVER MADE!

Administrator’s note: As many of you are aware Raja Ampat is experiencing “growing pains”.  Issues like overcrowding, nickel mining, waste water and refuse management for Waisai (Raja’s capital city), resorts, homestays and liveaboards (to name but a few) is lacking!  These are well known problems but until now not enough has been done to address these issues.  With the launch of the Indonesian Yayasan (NGO) Terra Abadi Papua, that just changed!

Raja Ampat and the greater Bird’s Head Seascape is one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on the planet, encompassing tropical rainforests, coastal areas, and unique marine ecosystems. The region is home to 75% of the world’s coral species and more than 1,800 fish species.  Referred to as the “Bullseye” of marine biodiversity, it is unique, a world treasure.  But despite the superlatives, protecting it for future generations, is not a given.  Enter Terra Abadi Papua.

Terra Abadi Papua directly translates as Eternal Papua.

In order to maintain and manage Raja’s people, health and biodiversity there is a lot of work to be done.  Terra Abadi Papua or “Terra Papua” is the newly formed management body for the recently launched initiative Raja Ampat Selamanya (Raja Ampat Forever) aka “Raja 2”.  The goal both locally, regionally, and nationally is to preserve Raja and its resources for its people as well as the planet’s benefit.

Terra Papua envisions a prosperous Papua with interconnected and harmonious coastal, marine, and forest ecosystems.

Terra Papua’s mission:

Promote the implementation of environmentally friendly natural resource utilization policies through research, ecological-social monitoring, and scientific evidence-based information systems. Strengthening effective, adaptive and sustainable management of marine conservation areas through increased institutional capacity and law enforcement. Promoting indigenous leadership and well-being by developing sustainable livelihoods and strengthening local governance rights. Integrating forest and marine ecosystem management (ridge-to-reef) to maintain ecological connectivity and climate resilience. Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships and conservation financing innovations through strategic collaboration with government and the private sector.

Terra Papua’s work approach will be inclusive, involving communities as key actors in every initiative to ensure social sustainability. It will be collaborative, with various stakeholders (at every level) to create a broader and more integrated impact.  It will be data-driven, using scientific research and field evidence (evidence-based) as the basis for intervention decision making. And it will be sustainable, by prioritizing long-term solutions that maintain a balance between the environment and human well-being.

Read the Press Release of Terra Papua’s launch.

Group photo at Terra’s launch and workshop, Sorong, Southwest Papua, Indonesia

You can follow Terra Papua on Facebook and Instagram.

The BHS will be collaborating with Terra Papua reporting on the implementation of its various programs, new guidelines, regulations, etc.  Support them, Raja needs it, the planet needs it and so do you!