Integrating Conservation and Development in Papua New Guinea - A Chevron/World Wildlife Fund Case Study

Abstract

Abstract Conserving biological diversity and enhancing the well-being of people is a significant challenge for all of society including both the private sector and conservation organizations. This paper describes efforts by the Kutubu Petroleum Development Project (KPDP), operated by Chevron Niugini, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to enhance conservation of the rich biological diversity of Papua New Guinea and to assist local indigenous communities with sustainable development. Supported by a grant from the KPDP, WWF is implementing an integrated conservation and development project (ICDP) with local communities in the 2.3 million hectare Kikori River catchment located in the Gulf and Southern Highlands Provinces. The region is characterized by biologically diverse tropical rain forests that provide the predominant livelihood for over 40,000 indigenous peoples. The Kikori ICDP is assisting local people to establish culturally appropriate conservation management areas and to develop eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, and community based eco-forestry. Detailed biological surveys established the conservation significance of the region, and confirmed the health of the environment. The KPDP is a one billion US dollar capital cost operation which produces Papua New Guinea's first commercial oil reserves. Protecting people and the environment is an essential design and operational criteria for the KPDP. Comprehensive environment and community policies including strict design codes and operational standards, rain forest protection measures, and community business and public health programs are used to minimize the environmental impact and to increase local community benefits. This case study demonstrates the benefits to conservation and local communities of the collaborative efforts of the KPDP and WWF, and the national benefits of a new development paradigm where the economic and environment interests of a nation are considered together.