Over 500 youths, including children and elders of the Managalas Conservation area in Afore Local Level Government (LLG) of Ijivitari District in the Oro Province, gathered yesterday at the Afore station to mark World Environment Day, a day ahead of the actual day on Friday 5th June.
Youths came from the 10 zones of Managalas, Managalas East consists of Zones 5,6,7A,7B,8 and 9 and Managalas West consists of Zones 1,2,3,4 and 10, and celebrated World Environment Day under the theme, "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For our Future."
The celebrations marked the start of 2 days celebration of Managalas Youth Conservation Camp and Climate Trail program which started yesterday and will end today, Friday 5th June 2026.
This is a 3- day camp out program, which saw all participants camping on the main field at Afore station. The program line up consisted of speeches, drama and song presentation including tree planting, and a Trail walk program schedule for today from Afore to Tahama-Korywo and back to Afore, a 4 hour walk around the Managalas Conservation area.
The program is purposely to celebrate 9 years of Managalas as a conservation area as well as a preparation program towards their 10th Anniversary next year. This is a first of its kind and the youths of Managalas are hoping for more similar programs to follow.
Mr. Brian Kasira who was the founder of the Managalas Conservation during his opening remarks highlighted the struggle and the journey of this conservation area and encouraged youths to carry on the good work their fathers have set to protect their land and environment. Mr. Kasira encouraged the youths of Managalas to abstain from taking part in the consumption of illicit drugs and homebrew and to focus on taking care of their environment as well as their own lives.
"Take care of your rainforest, the environment is your future because it will save you."
"Managalas conversation will sustain your life, your children's life, it is your future, no foreigner or illegal company will take it away from you."
The Managalas Conservation area is about 214,696 hectares of land under conservation and parts of the areas run to Safia, Kokoda, Popondetta Urban and even Oro Bay.
The World Environment Day Managalas Youth Conservation Camp and Climate Trail celebration and programs is made possible by the local people of Managalas in partnership with the European Union (EU), Oro Provincial Government, Member for Ijivitari and its DDA, Synergies Development, Managalas Conservation Foundation and CIFOR- ICRAF.
