The beauty of Indonesia’s natural environment is always worth showcasing. From Sabang to Merauke, even in the yet unvisited islands, there is always a beautiful sight to behold. This is also true for the unique and diverse natural environment of Papua.
For example, the National Park Lorentz, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999, is located in the Papua province and covers approximately 2.35 million hectares, making it the largest conservation area in Southeast Asia. Within this park, there is Mount Carstensz with its highest peak, Mount Jaya Wijaya, which is the ninth-highest mountain in the world. The park also has glaciers, making it one of the three tropical regions. The National Park Lorentz is one of the national parks with the most diverse ecology in the world, with around 630 bird species, 123 mammal species, and hundreds of fish species.
The geology of the park is complex due to its location at the intersection of two tectonic plates, which has led to a high level of biodiversity and endemism. In addition, there are fossils in the area that serve as evidence of the evolution of life in Papua and New Guinea.
To develop the area for tourism and boost the local economy in Papua, the government needs to facilitate easy and quick access for local and foreign tourists. The Provincial Government of Papua has encouraged the development of infrastructure in the Regency with territories within the Lorentz National Park. However, this development must not harm the park, as the Lorentz National Park is the largest forest conservation area in Southeast Asia.
There are about ten Regency with territories within the Lorentz National Park, including Intan Jaya, Lani Jaya, Puncak, Mimika, Paniai, Asmat, Yahukimo, and Nduga. Nduga is a district where the entire territory is within the park, which means it cannot develop infrastructure to its full potential. One option to avoid damaging the park for infrastructure development is to build a road to the south through the sea route to Timika and Asmat.
The Provincial Government of Papua has urged the Regency within the park to protect and preserve the park’s beauty and conservation. The WWF Region Sahul Papua Director, Benja Mambai, also hopes that the Regency within the park will protect the park and develop infrastructure that does not harm the park.