| Wopkola Rainforest is a newly
developed, strict conservation, and natural habitat location which KVEDO,
Inc. aims to further develop it into a national conservation site in Papua
New Guinea.
The Wopkola Rainforest is located
in the heart of Kokop Village in Western Highlands Province, Papua New
Guinea. It remains the cultural, traditional, spiritual, and tribal habitat
for the native Kentiga Tribe. Despite its vast and diverse importance,
the 30 plus hectare rainforest patch was a victim of deforestation, bushfires,
hunting, and general environmental destruction caused principally by the
ignorance of the native people.
 In
August of 2000, I called a tribal forum and immediately claimed ownership
of this rainforest patch. As a tribal leader, I realized that the natural
environment of my tribe needed to be safeguarded from needless destruction
and exploitation. This marked the end of three consecutive decades of destruction
perpetrated on the Wopkola Rainforest.
Upon claiming ownership of the land,
I declared it immediately as a “no-take zone” – a strict conservation site.
The next step involved the transfer of this site to the community-based,
non-profit organization: “Kokop Village Eco-Forestry Development Organization
(KVEDO), Incorporated.”
Between 2000 and 2004, I organized
free labour among the Kentiga Tribe in conducting a massive clean-up campaign.
This extensive campaign basically involved developing new tracks or footpaths
within the rainforest floor, developed barbeque spots, created waterfalls,
multiplied native orchid gardens, planted new tree seedlings, general botanical
trimming, and dug drains to control rain-water. Between the stated period,
the following achievements took place:
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Over 10, 000 tree seedlings were bought
from the local tree nursery and planted inside the Wopkola Rainforest and
around Kokop Village with the sole aim to increase and complement the tree
population.
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The Wopkola Rainforest was revived and
restored to its former glory, lushness, and natural beauty through massive
clean-up, continuous maintenance, and additional developments.
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All environmentally destructive practices
conducted the native people were banned by a Local Court Order issued by
KVEDO. This order demands no killing of birds, no removal of botanical
species, no removal of native orchids, no killing of animals, no pollution
for the waters and waterways, no intrusion without permission of both pigs
and humans, no bush fires, no tree cutting, no mushroom hunting, and a
strong emphasis on zero tolerance be rendered to those that despise the
ban.
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The Wopkola Rainforest floor today is
a well-managed, well-maintained, and well-protected private conservation
site in Papua New Guinea with thriving plant, bird, animal, and insect
species.
 The
Wopkola Rainforest contains over 200 native tree species, 10 species of
Birds of Paradise and 30 other kinds of birds, and more than 25 different
kinds of moths and butterflies. The population of exotic native orchids
and New Guinea Impatient flowers are plentiful on the rainforest floor.
The population of different kinds of insects is immeasurable. The fresh
fountains and creeks springing out of the rainforest provide drinking water
for the locals while the waterfalls are a site for showers and picture-taking.
The rainforest is home to the green tree frog, green tree lizard, and the
green tree snake (which is edible locally). There are some species of wild
taro and bananas grow inside the rainforest floor – their flowers providing
good food for butterflies and smaller birds.
The Wopkola Rainforest is surrounded
by native food gardens, native pig houses, coffee gardens, bush-material
hut houses, cemeteries, waterways, and trees – all belonging to the people
of the Kentiga Tribe.
Plans are underway to secure funding
to build a new permanent fence around the perimeters of the rainforest
and to develop specific zones for keeping a collection of native animals
for locals and tourists alike to appreciate. Plans are also in place to
secure funding to continue to add more trees to the site in order to complement
the canopies’ population and darken the entire floor under the sunlight
of any day. Plans are also in plan to breed freshwater fish inside the
rainforest floor for tourism and economic purposes. Once fully developed,
gate takings would be a requirement for all entrants – both locals and
tourists.
KVEDO is negotiating with the Ministry
of Environment and Conservation, the Western Highlands Provincial Government,
and other related stakeholders to make the Wopkola Rainforest a nationally-recognized
national conservation site in Papua New Guinea.
If you are a tourist visiting Western
Highlands Province or a Papua New Guinean passing through Mt. Hagen, please
hesitate not to stop by at Kokop Village and explore this magnificent natural
landmark developed by KVEDO, Inc. to protect and conserve Papua New Guinea’s
local botany, animal, insect, and tree species.
If you wish to help or know
more about the project, please hesitate not to contact KVEDO via e-mail
at skyuimb@hotmail.com or skyfdn@hotmail.com.
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