Communities from Brem also known as Murukunam, in the Sumgilbar LLG of Madang Province, reached a milestone by signing the Conservation Deed (CD) for their community.
Over the years, the community developed their community-based Natural Resource Management (CbNRM) Plan through a participatory land-use management planning process.
A total of 7,400 hectares of their customary land is now a part of an environment protection management area.
About 1,700 ha of Conservation Deed Area from the total of 5,700 ha under the land use plan will be used purely for biodiversity conservation.
The signing saw over two hundred participants attended the official signing of the Conservation Deed.
The event was witnessed by representatives from USAID, Lukautim Graun Program (LGP), church groups, women’s groups, students, community leaders, provincial and local level government staff comprising of key sector representatives from the forestry, fisheries, lands, village courts, community development and commerce division.
The Guest speaker who is the Program Specialist (Biodiversity, Energy and Gender) with USAID, Julie Hulama, officiated over the ribbon cutting to unveil the signage for the new CD area.
She stated that the event clearly demonstrates the commitment of the community to protect their land and natural resources for the future generations of Papua New Guinea.
This is aligned with USAID’s regional priorities under environment protection and climate adaption and mitigation.
Over the last two to three years, LGP has worked closely with its key partners to assist different communities through awareness and training on Conservation based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) planning within priority sites.
The Brem community is one of the communities that has now reached another milestone to have a CD Area.
The CD will help conserve biodiversity for now and future generation to enjoy while at the same time being able to utilize their land sustainably.