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NP – National parks
MS – Marine sanctuaries
NHA – National heritage areas
SMA – Special management areas
CCA – Community conservation areas
LMMA – Locally managed marine areas
The Papua New Guinea Protected Area Network is the foundation of a cohesive approach to protect the country’s outstanding biodiversity and benefit the local communities and customary landowners. Protected Areas are divided into National Protected Areas and Regional Protected Areas.
Who
Proponent, i.e. any interested parties (landowners, NG0s, scientists, community champions, etc.)
What happens during this step
Proponent submits Expression of Interest (EoI) using the template in form A, including stakeholder list, preliminary maps, purpose of protected area, protected area type, and other surveys (e.g. local biodiversity, intangible heritage, etc).
Who
Consultations with customary landowners, rights holders, NG0s, and local government
What happens during this step
Proponent works with customary landowners and other community members in partnership with national and provincial authorities to get free, prior and informed consent.
Who
Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) with national and regional partners and technical experts in the National Protected Area Round Table (NPART) and Regional Protected Area Round Table (RPART)
What happens during this step
CEPA will consider the suitability of the proposed land to be designated as a protected area; if yes, should it be a national or regional protected area.
Who
RPART or NPART and National Conservation Council (for National Protected Areas), CEPA, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations working in protected areas
What happens during this step
After endorsement from the relevant regional or national round table, the National Conservation Council gives final endorsement for national protected areas. All agreements (ex. Statement of Management Intent) are finalised and sent to the Minister for approval and sign-off. Upon gazettal, all parties are informed. The area is entered into the correct register of protected areas.
Who
Proponent establishes protected area management committee
What happens during this step
PA management committee drafts management intent statement and benefit-sharing agreement, set up a management plan, and gather resources (infrastructure, technical advice, training, workforce, etc.) for effective management.
The following forms are needed when establishing a protected area. More information about these forms and the process can be found in the Establishing New PAs in PNG: the PNG Protected Area Management Guideline.
