Clan leaders in the Kokoda Track region have recently signed a historic agreement. The agreement provides the leaders’ consent for their lands to be made a protected area under Papua New Guinea’s national law.
This is a significant milestone for the Kokoda Initiative, a partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The initiative was established in 2008 to sustainably develop and protect the Kokoda Track and the surrounding Owen Stanley Ranges.
The new agreement will allow on-ground conservation activities to start in villages in early 2024.
These activities will:
- help identify conservation and livelihood development opportunities
- assist community leaders in planning for sustainable development through participatory land use planning.
This is an exciting new step in our partnership with Papua New Guinea. The agreement reinforces our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of communities living along the track and protecting the environment.
Our department will continue to work closely with the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority to establish formal protected areas along the Kokoda Track.
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