Korowai tribes – beforethey.com
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua provincial government plans to improve its monitoring of foreign tourists who visit the Korowai, Mappi.
“We do not know what tourists’ intention while they all are free to visit Papua. We can’t restrict them, so supervision needs to be improved,” the head of Social Services and Isolated Community in Papua Rebekah Haluk said in Jayapura last week.
She said the purposes of their visits need to be clarified, including whether they are just there for sightseeing, missionary work or research. So far the government has been unable to take any action against foreigners who have tourist visas.
“Maybe the purpose of the visit is to do research. As long as foreigners have tourist visas, we can’t do anything,” she stated.
She added, the department led by her has a development program for isolated tribes, including the Korowais who have a unique culture because they live in trees.
Therefore, the government does not want any negative stigma when there are still people like the Korowaia.
She then added it still supports the development of an area into a tourist attraction including Korowai tribe.
Earlier, the Director of the Papua Adventure Tour and Travel, Gantang reported that every month there are about 50 tourists visiting Korawai tribe. (*)
