UNDP in Papua New Guinea is partnering with the Conservation and Environment Protection Agency (CEPA) to upgrade facilities at Varirata National Park.
The Rangers’ Lodge construction is part of 2020 AWP planned infrastructure for the park. The Varirata National Park (VNP) Guard House was the first infrastructure established and was launched on Thursday 21st May 2020 by the UN Resident Representative.
The cost of the construction of the Guard House was USD36,500 and the cost of the Rangers Lodge construction was USD85,781.
The engagement of the UNV Rangers was funded at the cost of USD67,023.40 and additional funding support was for training (e.g., First Aid and UNDP mandatory courses plus biodiversity transect surveys with PAU and Ranger training under Queensland Parks Wildlife Services) and resourcing (e.g., Uniforms, shoes, maintenance tools etc…).
At the moment, CEPA continues to maintain the Rangers operations at the park.
The UNDP ssupports the government on the implementation of the Protected Areas Policy via the enhancement of the VNP that is managed by CEPA, through funds from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The CEPA Management Team is credited for the leadership and commitment to the implementation of the Protected Areas Policy and the current conservation legal framework to; improve conservation of areas in high biodiversity values.
The importance of VNP in the context of Protected Areas (part of the 3.69% Terrestrial PA coverage of PNG) and a model National Park, managed by the CEPA.
The VNP was one of the UNDP GEF 5 Project sites and engaged 10 UNV Rangers to provide oversight and management of the Park.
Rangers are the backbone of protected area systems. A strong, capable and supported Ranger workforce is critical to conserve culture and biodiversity, deliver community benefits and increase capacity, including in the most remote and disadvantaged parts of PNG.
The UNDP Resident Representative acknowledged that; Ranger is a critical profession in the protection of nature and culture of Protected Areas.
The presence of Rangers in the Varirata National Park has enhanced security and visitors to the Park has increased as evident by gate takings that has increased by 400%.
The Rangers are in need of a resting Lodge; hence this Lodge will make their work easier than used to be different in the past where pickup and drop off shifts are extra operational expenses to the park.
Some of the Rangers are customary landowners of the Park and custodians of traditional cultural knowledge that includes biodiversity, and such knowledge has enhanced activities such as bird watching and the Koiari Tree House.
The UNDP have a long history of robust partnership with the government to serve as delivery partner for various conservation initiatives and this will continue, the UNDP Resident Representative added.
The UNDP supported CEPA in the establishment of the PNG Protected Areas Policy and also the drafting of the Protected Areas Bill that CEPA is currently facilitating, to enact soon.
The UNDP Resident Representative thanked the PNG Government for facilitating the Global Environment Facility support and glad to support conservation initiatives in partnership.
Last but not least, I would like to invite you all to join me witness the official handover of the Rangers’ Lodge to CEPA to strengthen partnership and contribute to conservation management and administrative arrangements.
In June this year, a new office was constructed at the entrance gate. Renovation work will also begin on the toilet facilities shortly. The Project is also funding United Nations Volunteer Community Rangers to manage and maintain the Park.
UNDP has also assisted in building the capacity of these Rangers with the support of the Queensland Parks Wildlife Services, who are also assisting with developing a Business Plan to ensure the Park’s sustainability.
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| Front View of the Rangers Lodge at Varirata National Park |
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| Side view of the Rangers Lodge at Varirata National Park |
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