With about 2,000,000 acres of virgin rainforest and height of 2,507 metres (8,225ft) above sea level, Mt Bosavi Region is setting out to become the next major carbon credit project in the country and the Pacific Region.
Historically Mount Bosavi has been mostly untouched and undisturbed by the outside world for thousands of years because of the steepness of the crater walls and the terrain leading to the mountain. The collapsed cone of the extinct volcano is home to several endemic species of birds, insects, animals and plants.
In recent years, the NGO group the Mt Bosavi Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative Inc (SADI) has being in the fore front to sustain and preserve the Mt Bosavi Forest. Mt Bosavi SADI Chairman Mr Andrew Awabi, highlighted that Mt Bosavi SADI has also been the only NGO group who has being helping the people of Bosavi change from gardening to sustainable farming and conservation of the environment.
About 2- 3 years ago Mt Bosavi SADI went into partnership with WE-ACT, a leading Carbon Project Developer in Australia who takes lead in International Trade Consultancy to make Mt Bosavi forest a Carbon Credit Project area.
An MOA was also signed whereby the people of Bosavi will be getting 52% royalty while WE- ACT Australia who will be playing the middleman role to link them with Viva Carbon Market USA will be getting 48% from the carbon credit project.
However, all this is at the development phase and Mr Awabi is hoping that Mt Bosavi SADI can work in partnership with Climate Change Development Authorities (CCDA) so that CCDA can understand and recognize the work Mt Bosavi SADI is currently doing on the ground.
“I am calling out to CCDA and the government to recognize what Mt Bosavi SADI is doing to preserve and sustain the nature of the forest as well as helping the people of Bosavi region sustain their livelihood.” “Our environment is an untouched virgin environment so as much as possible Mt Bosvi SADI is running awareness and training with the locals in the four LLGs to do sustainable and conservative methods of farming to conserve the forest.”
“We teach the locals sustainable projects as well as the importance of tree planting after one is cut down.” Awabi also added that with the carbon credit project, it is still in its early development stages, and SADI wants to work with CCDA on this one.
“Right now, we are forming our Incorporated Landowner Groups (ILGs) and also carrying out clan mapping before we roll out Carbon Credit Project so we know exactly how many people will benefit from which area.” Awabi added that they are getting help from the Southern Highlands Provincial Government, Nipa Kutubu District Development Authority, FAO, UNDP and other development partners but not CCDA.
“With the acres of rain forest and the talks on Climate change and Carbon trade, Mt Bosavi is the golden ticket.” “I am calling on CCDA to recognize what Mt Bosavi SADI is doing for the people and the Forest, CCDA and the government must work with us so that we can archive Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Implementation plans as well as the Carbon Trade and Management Act.”