Working with protected area management committees in PNG September 2019

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Assessment of management effectiveness for PNG's protected areas 2017

Management of Papua New Guinea’s protected areas is a shared obligation, with most of the on-ground responsibility falling to management committees and boards under both existing and proposed legislation. However, the national government has overall responsibility for the protected area network and its management, and must ensure effective management to meet its international obligations. CEPA has a duty to support management committees with advice, assistance and regular engagement, and to assist them in obtaining resources to carry out their work effectively. Throughout most of the past twenty years, most management committees have had little assistance from any level of government, and only a few have had good and consistent support from non-government organisations. This has resulted in a very low overall standard of management throughout the country, while in those few places where management committees are well supported, both environmental and social benefits are very clear.