Covering 68,325 hectares of primary forest in the Bird's Head region of Irian Jaya, the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve contains a rich diversity of
animal and plant life, much of it endemic to the province. It has a variety of habitats ranging from lo wland rainforest to montane moss forests.
This mountainous reserve is home to an estimated 110 mammal species including marsupials such as tree kangaroos, bandicoots and cuscus. Approximately 320 bird species, of which five are endemic to the Arfak-Tamrau mountain area, are found here.
The region is also noteworthy for its population of highly endangered and very beautiful birdwing butterflies. The reserve has water catchment areas for several river systems, thus protecting water supply for the surrounding areas while ensuring a stable
hydrological cycle.
However, problems of encroachment and habitat degradation have sprung up. The area surrounding the reserve is increasingly populated, mainly by people of the Hatam tribe, which has put pressure on the land and its resources. The Hatam people combine hunti
ng with shifting and stable agriculture. They also indulge in poaching of protected species, such as the bird of paradise, and collection of resinous woods. Alarmingly, in certain areas where settlements have become more permanent, farmers are clearing l
and closer to the reserve boundary.
WWF initially focused on the demarcation of reserve boundaries with the active participation of the Hatam communities. Since then, its activities have expanded to reserve management. Its Primary Environmental Care (PEC) programme promotes conservation awa
reness among the local people while concurrently cooperating with the local tribespeople in seeking sustainable economic alternatives to some of the current unsustainable resource use patterns which affect the area.
One area of emphasis has been community development through a local NGO involved in the sustainable utilization of birdwing butterflies. The NGO purchases and markets pupae and butterflies raised by local farmers with the aim of providing them with a stea
dy income in order to reduce the encroachment upon the reserve. Other community development work here has focused on agroforestry projects and on establishing kiosk cooperatives.
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