2) Papua’s paradise under threat
---------------------
1) Local DJ infuses the sounds of West Papua’s jungle into new single
JESSICHA VALENTINA THE JAKARTA POST
Jakarta | Sun, October 29, 2017 | 08:09 am
A cassowary visits Malagufuk village in Kalasou valley, West Papua. Local DJ Ninda Felina has produced a new track featuring the sounds of animals unique to Papua's rainforest. (Greenpeace/Jurnasyanto Sukarno)
It takes at least three hours and 50 minutes to fly from Jakarta to West Papua, making the pristine Papuan jungle seem like a faraway land for Jakartans.
Fortunately, local DJ Ninda Felina has brought the Papuan jungle closer the capital’s residents through her new single "Bird of Paradise."
Officially launched on Oct. 22, "Bird of Paradise" features sounds of the rainforest surrounding Malagufuk village, located in Klasou Valley, West Papua, including the Cendrawasih (bird-of-paradise), rainfall and flowing rivers.
Ninda Felina records rainforest sounds that surround Malagufuk village. (Greenpeace/Tasya Pradna Maulana)
Ninda reportedly joined conservation group Greenpeace for a 10-day trek through the rainforest.
The DJ shared in a press release that it took four hours to reach Malagufuk village.
However, her hard work paid off as she managed to hear and record the captivating sounds of animals unique to Papua, with the help of sound recordist Mark Roberts.
“The sounds inspired me to produce [a song], not only to give a [new touch] to my music, but also to inspire people to love and protect our forest,” she added.
The track was produced in collaboration with Greenpeace and music composer-producer Ben Rosen for the Save Our Sounds project, which aims at saving Indonesia’s forests. Through the collaborative project, Ninda urges music enthusiasts to protect Indonesia’s forests.
"Bird of Paradise" is available for download here. (kes)
—————————————————————————
2) Papua’s paradise under threat
By Kiki Siregar | 00:00 UTC+8 October 29, 2017
A cassowary in Malagufuk village in Indonesia. Plantations, touted as a way to improve economic opportunities, are rapidly expanding in Papua, alarming villagers and conservationists who fear forests will be destroyed and birds driven to the brink of extinction. — AFP
DEEP in Indonesia’s easternmost province, a group of birdwatchers wait in earnest, hoping to glimpse the renowned bird-of-paradise. Once plentiful in Papua’s jungles, rampant poaching and deforestation have devastated populations.
The tourists’ patience is rewarded: Perched on the branch of a tall tree near the remote village of Malagufuk, a red king bird-of-paradise is seen darting between the leaves.
Agricultural plantations, touted as a means to improve economic opportunities, are rapidly expanding in Papua. But some villagers and conservationists warn this will result in forests being destroyed and the birds that inhabit them driven to the brink of extinction.
Bird-of-paradise numbers were already dwindling in Papua as they are poached, killed and used for decoration. Authorities have since banned their sale but there is still a thriving illegal trade because international demand is high.
“Nowadays the threat is not just wildlife hunting, but illegal logging. The conversion of forests to palm oil and cocoa plantations is the biggest threat,” said bird guide Charles Roring.
Indonesia’s rainforests are home to 41 bird-of-paradise species, according to Roring, 37 of which can be found in the jungles of Papua.
They range from the lesser bird-of-paradise, known for its yellow and white flank plumes, to the 12-wired bird-of-paradise, recognizable by the filaments that extend from its tail.
Admired for their striking colors and elaborate courtship rituals, the birds have a long history of being trapped and traded as ornaments.
They captivated Europeans after 16th-century explorers returned with skins that had been dried, truncated of their legs and mounted to sticks; while their colorful feathers are still popular additions to traditional Papuan tribal decorations, such as headdresses.
Serene Chng, a program officer at environmental NGO Traffic, said the wild birds are smuggled to other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
“Law enforcement is very limited,” she explained. “Challenges include demand, corruption and poor surveillance, as well as lack of support from non-enforcement agencies that could help like airlines, shippers, courier services and airports,” Chng said.
In Sorong, one of the largest cities in Indonesia’s West Papua province, a souvenir vendor said traditional headbands made with feathers could fetch as much as 1.5 million rupiah (US$112).
Papua is home to one-third of Indonesia’s remaining rainforests but they are being chopped down at a rapid rate.
Palm oil companies started operating near Malagufuk about three years ago, says environmentalist Max Binur, from NGO Belantara Sorong.
Binur, who knew residents were worried the companies would destroy the surrounding forests and traditional village life, proposed a solution he believed would protect the birds and forest.
He helped turn Malagufuk into an eco-village where residents now work as guides or provide accommodation.
Up to 20 tourists visit each month to see the birds-of-paradise, as well as other species such as the Cassowary and Hornbill. Visitors trek 2 hours through the jungle to reach a remote settlement of stilt houses with limited electricity.
“It sounded like a good eco-tourism tour we could do. My mother is into birds and we were familiar with the bird-of-paradise from watching documentaries,” said German tourist Lisa von Rabenau.
Binur is planning to launch similar eco-village ventures across Papua and hopes tourism will lead to conservation and benefit locals.
----------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.