Its was an Initiative of Kokoda track Development & Livelihoods Association Inc, Conservation Environment and Protection Authority (CEPA) with Lakwaharu Coral, a local group from Tubusereia village in Central Province.
CCDA’s Adaption and Projects Division, General Manager Mr Jacob Ekinye who led the team to Lion Island for Coral Planting said this was a new experience for himself and his team.
Mr Ekinye said corals provide an ecosystem for life underwater. They protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. Corals are source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains and they also assist in carbon and nitrogen fixing etc…
Mr Ekinye said CCDA would like to participate in such activities in future and also in other provinces as well.
Hollen Mado from Kokoda Track Development & Livelihoods Association Inc. said the coral planting event is a sole initiative of the Kokoda Wild Adventures under the name Kokoda Track Development and Livelihoods Association Inc.
“The coral planting initiative is supported by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority through their Marine Branch,” Mr Mado said.
Koivi Egu from with Lakwaharu Coral said they have been planting coral in the sea near their village and they already have a coral farm.
This coral gardening activity in Bootless Bay area is being undertaken by his family and the community members from Tubusereia village.
Egu said this reef restoration activity is sponsored by Kyeema Foundation from Brisbane, Australia.
Egu and his son work together with Kyeema Foundation to address the ever-increasing climate change issues affecting coral reefs in PNG.
Kyeema Foundation sponsors this activity in PNG with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Egu said he they have been engaging in this activity for four (years) and are able and willing to assist any organsations that are interested to plant corals to save the ocean and the environment.
He said they are also engaged in looking after chicken and Mangrove planting.
The Coral Planting was a success as over 200 corals were planted that day.