Lorentz National Park (google.com)
Jayapura , 2/12( Jubi ) – Reports that parts of the Lorentz National Park have been damaged because of new road construction needs to be investigated, World Wildlife Found ( WWF ) Papua said.
“Since the beginning there has been a commitment that the construction of the road will not pass the core zone,” said WWF Papua Director Benja Mambay.
“In addition, the project must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Forestry and must satisfy the requirement for an environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) and a development of environmental impact analysis, ” Mambay told reporters in Jayapura , Papua , on Wednesday ( 12/2 ) .
Benja said the Minister of Forestry has issued a permit but an environmental impact analysis was still being conducted. He added in January, a team from the Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare ( Menkokesra) went to Papua and discussed the matter while acting Deputy for Cultural Affairs of Menkokesra , Dorhardo Pakpahan met with the Government of Papua province, Regencies and other Working Units ( SKPD) in Papua .
Lorentz National Park already has a zoning map and any construction has to be adapted to the existing zoning, otherwise the Unesco will raise the issue at its annual conference.
At the meeting Pakpahan said Unesco’s Coordinating Committee for World Heritage was scheduled to visit Indonesia this month and inspect the Lorentz National Park in Timika.
“The arrival of the team is to see the extent of support by the Indonesian government, the provincial and local governments for heritage management in the Lorentz park . So, information on the impact of the Habema – Kenyam road project, which allegedly damaged some forest areas, will likely be discussed and we need an accurate data to report when the team from Unesco comes to Papua later, ” said Dorhardo Pakpahan . ( Jubi / Alex )
