Final Report_Biodiversity (Fauna) Survey for Varirata National Park

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Varirata National Park

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in conjunction with Papua New and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) formally partnered in June 2015 to develop and implement a landmark biodiversity conservation initiative for Protected Areas in PNG’s Central Province (JICA, 2018). This initiative is formally referred to by JICA & CEPA as: ‘The Project for Biodiversity Conservation through Implementation of the PNG Policy on Protected Areas' (herein referred to as the ‘Project’). The Project has been specifically developed to align with PNG’s existing Policy on Protected Areas (PPA, 2014) and the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program, which adopts a strong focus on improving the livelihood of people while concurrently promoting sustainable resource conservation practices. The key
objective of the Project is to establish an effective ‘Conservation Management Framework’ for Protected Areas through a combination of institutional strengthening, capacity building, landholder engagement, sound science and investment in infrastructure (JICA, 2018).