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8/9/2019 PNG PDA: Designing a Catchment Management Plan for Lake Kutubu (Final Report)
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/png-pda-designing-a-catchment-management-plan-for-lake-kutubu-final-report 1/84
Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Plan
30 November 2008
Prepared by
Ms. Rebecca D’Cruz, Aonyx Environmental, Malaysia
WWF Contact Point Mr Eric Manasi, Catchment Management Officer
WWF Kikori River Programme
c/o WWF Western Melanesia Programme, PNG Country Office
PO Box 8280, Boroko NCD 111
Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 320 0149
Fax: +675 320 0519
email: (1) [email protected]
The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development
Bank (ADB), or its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this
paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official
terms.
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Map of the Lake Kutubu Catchment
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Map of the Kikori River Basin
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................6
Structure of
this
Report...........................................................................................12
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................13
1.1. The Special Qualities of the Lake Kutubu Catchment ...........................13
1.2. Why a Catchment Management Plan? .....................................................14
1.2.1 Critical success factors for CMPs .............................................................14
1.3. Why manage the Lake Kutubu catchment? ............................................16
1.3.1 External drivers of change that could potentially affect the integrity of
the Lake Kutubu Catchment..............................................................................17
1.3.2 The WWF Kikori Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) ...................................................................................................................18
1.4. The policy and planning context...............................................................20
1.5. Status of the Catchment Management Plan ............................................22
1.6. How the CMP was developed...................................................................22
1.6.1 Stakeholder consultations .........................................................................22
2. STRATEGY, VISION, GOALS AND OVERALL OBJECTIVES FOR THE
LAKE KUTUBU CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN...............................26
2.1. Strategy for the Lake Kutubu CMP ..........................................................262.2. Implementation of the Lake Kutubu CMP ..............................................27
2.3. Vision for the Lake Kutubu Catchment ...................................................28
2.4. Goal for the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan .....................28
2.5. Operations and Field Management: Annual Operating Plans and
Budgets ..................................................................................................................... 29
3. CATCHMENT REVIEW .................................................................................32
3.1. Geomorphology and Topography............................................................33
Soils .......................................................................................................................34
Shorelines .............................................................................................................34
3.2. Precipitation and Climate ..........................................................................34
3.3. Hydrology of the Lake Kutubu basin ......................................................35
3.3.1 Hydrological behaviour of the Lake Kutubu Catchment.....................36
3.3.2 Sediment chemistry ...................................................................................37
3.3.3 The major hydrological role of the swamp forests................................38
3.3.4 Water Quality ............................................................................................. 39
3.4. The Lake Kutubu Fishery...........................................................................40
3.5. Biological resources of the Lake Kutubu catchment ..............................42
3.5.1 Biodiversity value of the Kikori basin.....................................................42
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3.5.2 Flora..............................................................................................................43
3.5.3 Aquatic fauna.............................................................................................. 45
3.5.4 Terrestrial fauna .........................................................................................45
3.5.5 Noteworthy Areas of Terrestrial Biodiversity .......................................47
3.6. Land ownership...........................................................................................483.6.1 Land ownership..........................................................................................48
3.6.2 Sites of cultural significance .....................................................................48
3.7. Land use .......................................................................................................48
3.7.1 Traditional uses of the natural resources................................................ 49
3.7.2 Petroleum and Gas Projects ...................................................................... 49
3.7.3 Economic Development ............................................................................56
Eco‐tourism ..........................................................................................................57
3.7.4 Protected areas within the Lake Kutubu catchment .............................57
3.8. The Legal Framework within which the CMP will operate .................603.8.1 Roles and responsibilities of key organizations working on
environment and development‐related aspects in the Lake Kutubu
Catchment ............................................................................................................61
4. INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND ACTIONS .............................................64
5. AWARENESS AND CAPACITY ISSUES AND ACTIONS........................68
6. WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY ISSUES, AND ACTIONS.............70
7. FISHERIES ISSUES.............................................................................................72
8. BIODIVERSITY ISSUES ....................................................................................74
ANNEXES
Annex 1: Source documents used to develop the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Plan ....................................................................................................78
Annex 2: Goals and Objectives adopted by the Integrated Catchment
Management (ICM)
Forum
(March
2007) ............................................................80
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Located in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, Lake Kutubu is
PNG’s highest freshwater lake. Its waters are exceptionally clear, which allows for
high levels of primary production which, in turn, supports the most unique lacustrine fish community in the entire New Guinea ‐ Australia region; the lake harbours 11
known endemic species of fish. The humid closed rainforest, which comprises much of
the lake’s catchment, is relatively undisturbed due to low human population,
remoteness from major towns, and ruggedness of the karst landscape. The rich
resources of the lake (water and fish) provide for the livelihood and well‐ being of the
2000‐3000 people who live along its margin.
What are the key ecological, development and institutional concerns in the
Lake Kutubu Catchment?
Lake Kutubu is situated in a very vulnerable location where oil and gas operations are currently underway and set to expand in the future. Oil and gas activity has already
resulted in a rise in the number of local people participating in the cash economy and
an influx of settlers seeking employment and the peripheral benefits from these
operations. Land development activities associated with the increasing influx of
people into the area imposes an additional burden on the existing natural resources
and brings with it an increased risk of the degradation of the natural environment e.g.
from pollution, and the accidental or intentional introduction of invasive species. The
development of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, which is set to start with the
Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) stage by early 2009, could potentially
increase the deleterious impacts on the ecology and the biodiversity of the Lake Kutubu catchment through the opening up new areas of forest, and a further influx of
settlers from other areas of PNG.
Within the Lake Kutubu Catchment, the demands on the water resource are likely to
increase in the future with increasing population and land development. In order to
meet these demands without prejudicing what we have, or indeed to improve things,
we need to start thinking now in a more integrated way about how the waters of the
catchment are managed.
Lake Kutubu lies in the upper catchment of the Kikori River, which has been described as one of the most intact and thus biologically rich environments in PNG, and in the
Asia/Pacific region. Logging is a major economic activity within the Kikori Basin,
downstream of Lake Kutubu. New access roads are being built within the Lake
Kutubu Catchment, such as the road being constructed to link Samberigi to the Kikori
road; several other roads are in the pipeline, including one to connect the Southern
Highlands to Kikori in the Gulf Province. Another major proposal in the works is the
construction of a wharf facility at the Kikori station. The increased road access could
also lead to the unregulated development of other small‐scale activities such as
extraction of timber for local construction, harvesting (including hunting) of natural
forest products, and clearing of forest land for homesteads and gardens.
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Catchment management planning is a relatively new concept in Papua New Guinea
(PNG). Although the government through the Department of Environment and
Conservation (DEC) has a concept in place for TCEMP, its implementation is yet to be
realized and currently steps are being taken by the government to make this concept a
reality.
How can the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan (CMP) assist in
addressing these concerns?
By identifying actions to stem the deterioration of the Lake Kutubu catchment,
which could potentially have serious, long‐term impacts on the habitat and
activities in the downstream areas. The Lake Kutubu CMP provides direction for all
stakeholder groups on the future management of the natural resources of the Lake
Kutubu catchment. It identifies the major issues affecting the catchment and outlines
strategic management actions to address each of the issues. The CMP also identifies
responsibilities for undertaking actions, and proposes implementation arrangements
and coordination mechanisms.
By providing a framework within which all relevant stakeholders can work together
to resolve conflicts and manage the natural resources in the Lake Kutubu catchment
in a sustainable manner. The CMP proposes a mechanism (the Lake Kutubu
Catchment Management Forum, and Steering Committee) through which all
stakeholders will be able to address conflicts and seek resolution especially in relation
to issues that impact on more than an individual stakeholder group’s interest. The net
result is a more coordinated approach to the wise and sustainable use of the water
resource of the Lake Kutubu catchment, based on the consensus and co‐operation of
all those with an interest in the resource.
By supporting the further development and implementation of PNG’s “Total
Catchment Environment Management Policy (TCEMP)”. The development and
implementation of this CMP will serve as a pilot project for catchment management in
PNG and as a source of ‘lessons learnt’ to enhance the development of the TCEMP.
Outline Structure of the Catchment Management Plan (CMP)
The Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan contains four main sections:
1. Introduction to catchment management planning (Chapter 1), which includes
details about the policy and planning context within which this CMP would be
implemented and describes the process by which this Plan was developed.
2. Strategy, Vision, Goals, and Overall Objectives of the CMP (Chapter 2).
3. Catchment review (Chapter 3), which provides a snapshot of the physical and
biological make‐up of the catchment, as well as the socio‐economic and legal
context within which the CMP will operate.
4. Key issues, with corresponding management objectives and actions
(Chapters 4 to 8), which describes the issues that have been identified, through
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the consultation process and the review of available information, as being of
immediate priority in the catchment.
Vision, Goals and Overall Objectives for the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Plan
Vision: “To manage the river and its catchment in an integrated manner to achieve
stakeholder objectives and community outcomes through a common vision of:
• Secure communities
• Healthy and stable catchment and river system
• Environmental and conservation values enhanced
• Recreational and amenity values enhanced
• Land productivity and value improved
• Cultural values relating to river system, floodplains and the Lake protected.”
Goal: “Ecologically sustainable multiple‐use of the Lake Kutubu catchment.”
This Goal will be achieved through the:
• maintenance or enhancement of soil, vegetation and water quality;
• maintenance of biodiversity;
• maintenance of resource productivity; and
• optimisation of net financial and social benefits.
Overall objectives:
1. By prudent land use to enhance economic productivity while avoiding
environmental degradation or damage to other values; 2. In using natural renewable resources, to ensure their continuing
availability and to maintain their quality.
3. To maintain and conserve wildlife communities and necessary ecological
processes through the retention, protection and rehabilitation of natural
terrestrial and aquatic habitats both through a protected area system and
through private landholder cooperation.
4. To maintain the functional integrity and unique character of the Kikori
River system while fostering a diversity of land use and economic activity
within the catchment.
5. To encourage co‐operation and complementary activity among stakeholders both government and private, to achieve the above overall
objectives.
Opportunities and challenges to achieving the overall objectives of the CMP
In addition to the global biodiversity value of the area, several other factors exist
which provide an enabling environment for achieving the objectives of the CMP.
These are described briefly below:
The Lake Kutubu WMA was gazetted on 25 June 1992, and comprises an area of
24,057ha in the Nipa Kutubu district, where land is under Customary Tenure. The
purpose of the Lake Kutubu WMA is “to conserve the outstanding and internationally significant scenic, geophysical and biodiversity values of the Lake Kutubu WMA, and
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safeguard the interests and maintain the cultural integrity of its traditional owners”.
The rules of the Lake Kutubu WMA, which were defined by the community, were
gazetted in February 2002.
On 22 September 1998, Lake Kutubu was designated by the Government of PNG as a
‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the (Ramsar) Convention on Wetlands. The boundaries of the area registered as a Ramsar site corresponds to the Lake Kutubu
WMA boundary. Ramsar Site designation obligates the member country to manage
the site according to the Convention’s principle of the wise use of wetlands, and brings
with it access to technical and financial support from the Convention’s sources.
The Government of Papua New Guinea, through the Department of Environment and
Conservation (DEC), has developed the “Total Catchment Environment Management
Policy (TCEMP)”. Although this policy has yet to be implemented, it indicates
recognition on the part of the national government of the importance of catchment
level management planning.
All the major stakeholders in the area, and particularly the local and national
authorities, local community representatives, WWF, and Oil Search Limited have
voiced their commitment to support the implementation of the CMP.
Challenges remain however. Among these is the lack of a functioning institutional and
regulatory framework at the local, provincial and national levels to support catchment
management planning. The CMP currently has no statutory status in PNG and there is
currently no guidance to indicate that developments or other activities must comply
with this Plan. However, a number of measures that are recommended in this CMP will most effectively be delivered through incorporation into the current and future
Southern Highlands Provincial Government (SHPG), Local Level Government (LLG)
and protected area planning processes. It is therefore hoped that the SHPG, LLG and
protected area authorities within the Lake Kutubu Catchment will take the provisions
of the CMP into account in the preparation and implementation of Local Plans. This
also applies to other organizations and agencies, who are encouraged to incorporate
the aims and objectives of the Plan into their decision‐making processes and into the
development of any plans and projects.
The greatest challenge to achieving the objectives of the CMP is perhaps the lack of technical and financial capacity to implement the CMP. Therefore, it is envisaged that
WWF will remain willing and able to take the lead in implementing the actions
outlined in the CMP for the first five years, working closely with the Lake Kutubu
Catchment Management Forum, and Steering Committee, and in doing so, help build
capacity among the key representatives of the stakeholder groups in the area. This will
require a significant injection of financial resources.
The general lack of awareness about catchment management planning among policy
and decision‐makers, as well as the local community is another major challenge.
Attempts will be made to address this through general awareness‐raising activities proposed to be undertaken as part of the implementation of the CMP. However, it
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should be recognized that awareness‐raising activities are often slow‐acting, and is
best understood as a series of investments for significant future returns. As such, they
have to be carried out in a sustained and sustainable manner over a period of time,
and be sufficiently resourced.
External drivers of change – such as new developments which could lead to an
increased influx of people into the area, and increased access through the opening of
new roads – also constitute a major challenge in terms of the management of the
natural environment and resources in the area.
Strategy for the implementation of the Lake Kutubu CMP
The Lake Kutubu CMP is not a one‐off plan for managing water resources in the
catchment but rather a phased implementation of a dynamic, participative, integrated
process that serves, in the first 5 to 7 years of implementation, to address the
immediate priority concerns identified by the stakeholders. Subsequently, the outcomes will need to be reviewed and the CMP revised accordingly.
The baseline technical studies and stakeholder consultations undertaken over the last
few years in the Lake Kutubu area identified five major areas of concern which need to
be addressed as a matter of priority, within the catchment.
1. The lack of a functioning institutional and regulatory framework at the local,
provincial and national levels to support catchment management planning;
2. The lack of awareness about catchment management planning among policy
and decision‐makers, coupled with a lack of technical and financial capacity to
implement a catchment management plan;
3. Declining water quality in the Lake Kutubu area;
4. Threats to the existing fish populations and fisheries in the Lake Kutubu area;
and
5. Threats to the biological diversity in the Lake Kutubu area (including the threat
of invasive species).
The first two areas of concern will be addressed by actions taken at the local,
provincial, and national level, working primarily with policy and planning authorities,
to enhance the institutional and regulatory framework for catchment management
planning in PNG. The lessons learnt from these actions can provide the impetus to
refine the Total Catchment Environmental Management Policy championed by the
DEC, and aid in advocacy efforts for its eventual adoption and application.
The remaining three areas of concern can best be addressed, in the first instance, at the
local community level. The added‐value of a focus at the community level is that it
provides an opportunity for the local communities to be actively involved in the
implementation of the CMP and in this way, builds their support for the CMP process;
allows them the opportunity to establish, review and refine mechanisms for
cooperation; contributes to increasing their awareness and understanding of the
importance of adopting a catchment‐level approach to conservation and sustainable
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development; and builds their capacity so that they are able to eventually serve as full
partners in the implementation of the CMP.
Summary of the CMP’s Management Objectives for the first 5 to 7 years of
implementation
4. Institutional issues
4.1 Empower the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Forum and the Steering
Committee to enable them to function effectively and efficiently as a platform for all
stakeholders to be involved in the implementation of the CMP.
4.2 Ensure that National, Provincial and Local Level Government policy and planning
processes take into account the provisions of the CMP.
5.
Awareness
and
Capacity
issues
5.1 Increase awareness and understanding about the benefits of catchment
management planning at the local, provincial and national levels
5.2 Increase the capacity of key stakeholders to enable them to be active participants in
the implementation of the CMP
6. Water Quality issues
6.1 Improve the management of water resources in the Lake Kutubu Catchment
7. Fisheries issues
7.1 Promote catchment‐wide application of the sustainable fish catch strategies
7.2 Protect and enhance existing fish populations.
8. Biodiversity issues
8.1 Enhance the management and protection of the forest habitats in the Lake Kutubu
catchment.
8.2 Halt the spread of invasive fauna and flora in the Lake Kutubu catchment 8.3 Enhance the conservation and protection of the biodiversity resources in the Lake
Kutubu Catchment
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Structure of this Report
This Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan contains four main sections.
Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to catchment management planning, provides the
background to the policy and planning context within which this CMP would be
implemented and describes the process by which this Plan was developed.
Chapter 2 elaborates the strategy, vision, goals, and overall objectives of the CMP.
These were developed from an assessment of the technical baseline studies, the
outcomes of the two consultative workshops involving stakeholders from around the
Lake Kutubu catchment, as well as representatives from the Department of
Environment and Conservation, and from discussions held with the key stakeholders
during the CMP formulation mission in August 2007.
Chapter 3 provides general information about the catchment, but for more detailed
background information, reference should be made to the source documents listed in
Annex 1 of this CMP, and to the “State of the Lake Kutubu Catchment” report, which
has been prepared as part of this study. Copies of all these documents are available, on
request, from the WWF‐Kikori River Programme.
Chapters 4 to 8 describe the key issues and these are set out in a number of sections. It
is important to note that not each and every issue that could be of any relevance to the
Lake Kutubu catchment, or to the water resources of the catchment, has been included
in this Plan. This Plan deals with those issues that have been identified, through the consultative process and the review of available information, as being the immediate
key issues for the catchment. Each section begins with a summary of the issue,
followed by key management objectives and a table of management actions to
address that issue. The table of management actions identifies a ‘lead’ agency or
organisation and a list of ‘others’ who might be involved or could contribute towards
delivery of that action. A proposed timescale is also given as a target for any given
action. This is not a precise deadline, rather it is an approximation of expected
commencement (or completion) and is presented as short, medium and long‐term,
corresponding to 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus, respectively. The
management actions themselves are not listed in any order of priority; rather the timescale for delivery reflects the fact that although some actions are clearly of
priority, implementation may take some time because of the nature or complexity of
the issue, or both.
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Special Qualities of the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Located in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, Lake Kutubu is
PNG’s highest freshwater lake. Its waters are exceptionally clear, which allows for high levels of primary production which, in turn, supports the most unique lacustrine
fish community in the entire New Guinea ‐ Australia region; the lake harbours 11
known endemic species of fish.
The entire catchment of Lake Kutubu, apart from a small area at Moro and its
immediate surroundings, is under humid closed rainforest. This forest is relatively
undisturbed due to low human population, remoteness from major towns, and
ruggedness of the karst landscape.
There are seven main villages and a large number of smaller satellite settlements around the lake (see Figure 1.1). The rich resources of the lake (water and fish) provide
for the well‐ being of the approximately 2000‐3000 people who live on its margin.
Figure 1.1: Topographic map of Lake Kutubu, indicating the main settlements
In 1992, the lake and much of its catchment was formally gazetted as a Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) in recognition of its rich biodiversity resources.
International recognition followed in 1998 with the listing of Lake Kutubu as a
Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar
Convention).
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1.2. Why a Catchment Management Plan?
The demands that we place on the water resource create a unique set of management
issues and environmental pressures that need to be considered together. Catchment
Management recognises that the resources and components of the environment (soil,
water, vegetation, fauna and other natural resources) within a catchment are
inextricably linked. Pressure affecting one element can also impact directly or
indirectly on the others, with potential consequences for conservation and sustainable
economic productivity. The process of preparing a Catchment Management Plan
(CMP) assists in identifying the various natural resource issues affecting the
catchment.
A Catchment Management Plan assists land use and development to be undertaken in
a manner which minimises the degradation of natural resources on which the
productivity of the catchment depends. It seeks the long term integration of land
development and resource conservation. While the surface water catchment provides
a convenient boundary, it is recognised that many social and ecological processes are
not confined within this boundary. Fauna, fires and invasive species move across the
catchment boundary, land tenure can extend into adjacent catchments and boundaries
of groundwater systems seldom match surface water catchments precisely.
An integrated approach promotes greater awareness and understanding of
environmental issues and encourages a more open and cooperative approach to
decision‐making. An integrated approach may also help to reduce the risk of future
conflict, or, for some of the more potentially contentious issues, at least identify at an
early stage all the key interests. By planning together stakeholders and interested
parties can decide what can be done to address problems and how they should go
about implementing the Plan.
In summary, the development of a CMP:
• provides an overview of the catchment and helps the stakeholders understand
issues within a catchment context;
• identifies and clarifies issues and problems, including those for which more
detailed, specialised plans are appropriate (e.g. invasive species, fisheries, fire);
• sets appropriate and achievable goals for natural resource management;
• identifies the costs and benefits of improved natural resource management;
• considers management options and alternative strategies;
• sets priority actions;
• minimises conflict and duplication of effort by coordinating and integrating
actions of the community and government authorities;
• stimulates community awareness and government commitment; and
• identifies and prioritises projects for which funding may be sought.
1.2.1 Critical success factors for CMPs
Below is an outline of the critical success factors for CMPs, based on lessons
learnt from case studies on catchment management planning.
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Essential Characteristics
of CMPs
Comments
A documented plan for
change management –
not a static document.
• Catchment management is a process; plans must
change with priorities, achievements, and losses. The
process of the plan’s preparation should reflect this
dynamic characteristic.
• Plan must specify objectives and outcomes, and ways
of measuring protection and management.
• Specific targets for the fact that protection will change,
standards will change, and management priorities will
change over time.
Vision‐ based,
awareness focused,
Community‐driven
• People’s livelihoods and lifestyles occur in catchments;
their views together with those of government
providers of services form the basis of the vision.
• The vision should be water cycle based ‐ Catchment
and creek protection is part of the overall health of the
river, its waterways and the downstream coastal and
marine system; the vision should be inclusive of all key
stakeholders.
Sound technical
studies
• Data is essential for establishing priorities for
catchment problem solving, and for setting targets for
protection through management.
Strategic matters for ecological sustainability of any
catchment can be defined as:
• Protection of water quality – of both the waters into
which the river flows (termed ‘the receiving waters’),
and the water in the actual river or waterway.
• Protection of the stream or creek quality including its
bed and banks, aquatic environment, flood plain, and
riparian vegetation. Planning for this protection means
planning for low flow times as well as for bankfull and
flood events.
• Protection of land and water processes within the
catchment itself including the condition of the land,
soils and vegetation cover, and the habitats for flora
and fauna across the catchment.
People are part of the protection process as well. While all
of the strategic matters above relate to people, one aspect in
particular needs to be dealt with as part of the catchment
plan – protection of access and amenity uses of the
waterways.
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Providing a master
plan focused on
outcomes
• Options for the levels of protection desired and
potentially achievable have to be evaluated. A master
plan based on outcomes for overall catchment
protection is then prepared.
• Multiple plans and projects proceeding in a catchment
at any one point in time need to refer to catchment /
waterways protection.
• Details for site specific or sub‐catchment specific work
is important for more local activities and projects.
Target‐ based
planning
• A plan of action means a commitment to measurement.
• A Plan should set specific aims and tight targets and
timeframes for their achievement. The catchment
management plan is a form of environmental
management system – proceeding with set targets and
steps for achieving specific aims or outcomes.
Strengthening
coordination ‐
institutional
arrangements
• Papua New Guinea has no formal catchment
legislation. To ensure implementation of key actions,
the plan’s emphasis must be placed on strengthening
the channels and structures (and requirements) for
agency coordination.
• Catchment management plans are an opportunity for
agency agreement to the sustainability planning of an
area. It is also a means of assessing decisions made by
private and public sector agencies.
Informative and
accessible
documents
• The Plan is to be a communication and community
learning tool, as well as a technical master plan.
Addressing the main points of this outline will provide stakeholders with an
achievable, sustainable and balanced use of the land, water and related biological
resources within the Lake Kutubu catchment.
1.3. Why manage the Lake Kutubu catchment?
Catchment management planning is a relatively new concept in Papua New Guinea
(PNG). Although the government through the Department of Environment and
Conservation (DEC) has a concept in place for ‘Total Catchment Environment
Management Policy’ (TCEMP), its implementation is yet to be realized and currently
steps are being taken by the government to make this concept a reality. It is hoped that
the development and implementation of this CMP will serve as a pilot project for
catchment management in PNG and serve as a source of ‘lessons learnt’ to enhance the
government’s TCEMP.
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In PNG, there is an abundance of natural resources, but their use has become rapid
and unsustainable. Forest degradation as a result of industrial logging is prevalent
throughout the country. River basins and their ecosystems are being threatened due to
human induced actions. Lake Kutubu is situated in a very vulnerable location where
oil and gas operations are currently underway and set to expand in the future. Its
global biodiversity value and the vital ecosystem services it provides to the local
communities, warrants attention in terms of sustainable management.
Within the Lake Kutubu Catchment, the demands on the water resource are likely to
increase in the future with increasing population and land development. In order to
meet these demands without prejudicing what we have, or indeed to improve things,
we need to start thinking now in a more integrated way about how the waters of the
catchment are managed.
This Lake Kutubu CMP provides direction for all stakeholder groups on the future
management of the natural resources of the Lake Kutubu catchment as well as the
larger Kikori River catchment, including multiple use of lands where appropriate. It
identifies the major issues affecting the Lake Kutubu catchment and outlines strategic
management actions to address each of the issues. Identification of these as priority
issues in no way detracts from other issues which impact across the entire Kikori River
catchment.
The CMP also identifies responsibilities for undertaking actions, and proposes
implementation arrangements and coordination mechanisms. This plan identifies a
mechanism to address conflicts and seek resolution especially in relation to issues that
impact on more than an individual stakeholder group’s interest.
The net result is a more coordinated approach to the wise and sustainable use of the
water resource of the Lake Kutubu catchment, based on the consensus and co‐
operation of all those with an interest in the resource.
It is important to note that the CMP does not purport to solve all problems
immediately but rather provides a framework for resolving current and future issues.
In some cases, the Plan contains solutions but there are current problems for which
there are no easy answers, and further technical work and consultations need to be
carried out to arrive at appropriate solutions for these.
1.3.1 External drivers of change that could potentially affect the integrity of the Lake
Kutubu Catchment
In May 2008, a formal agreement was signed between ExxonMobil and the
Government of PNG on the PNG LNG Project. The PNG LNG Project proposes to
commercialize the Hides, Angore and Juha fields and the associated gas resources in
the currently operating oil fields of Kutubu, Agogo, Gobe and Moran in the Southern
Highlands and Western Provinces of PNG. The gas will be treated at a gas
conditioning plant at Hides then transported via pipeline to a 6.3 million tonne per
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annum LNG liquefaction and storage facility proposed to be located 20km north‐west
of Port Moresby on the Gulf of Papua. The project is set to begin its Front End
Engineering and Design (FEED) stage in early 2009. The location of the project sites
within the Lake Kutubu Catchment is cause for concern in terms of the potential
negative impacts that could arise during the pre‐ and post‐construction stages.
However, until more detailed information becomes available, it is difficult to predict
what these impacts might be and to determine specific management actions to be
taken under the CMP. One expected impact is an increase in the influx of people from
other parts of PNG; an appropriate management action for this would be to control the
movement of outsiders into the catchment area by establishing strict policies on illegal
migration and the establishment of new settlements. This should be done as a
collaborative effort by the project developer, the relevant government agencies, and
the local communities.
The expansion of the road network in the Lake Kutubu catchment area is another
cause for concern. The development of the oil project saw the opening up of roads
linking Mendi, the provincial capital of Southern Highlands Province with other sub‐
districts such as Kutubu, Nipa, Tari as well as the other highlands provinces. Since
then, there has been a noticeable increase in the influx of people into the Lake Kutubu
area. Inter‐marriages have also been on the rise, with many women from other areas
marrying men from the Kutubu area. These inter‐marriages have contributed to the
influx of people in search of opportunities for employment or to engage in small
business activities. With growing population has come an increase in the exploitation
of natural resources.
A road linking Samberigi to the Kikori road is currently under construction and
expected to be completed soon. There is a proposal to connect the Southern Highlands
to Kikori in the Gulf Province by road. The project is still under review and is subject
to funding availability, but if it does come to pass, will be yet another major
development in the area. Another major proposal is for the construction of a wharf
facility at the Kikori station. Increased road access is likely to bring even more people
into the area.
The expansion of the road network can also act as a catalyst for accelerating other
resource extraction activities, the major one being logging. Currently, logging is a
major activity in the Kikori area, downstream of Lake Kutubu. The expansion of the
road network in the Lake Kutubu catchment area is likely to open up new access for
logging companies to expand their operations and pose a further threat to the
catchment.
1.3.2 The WWF Kikori Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP)
The WWF Kikori ICDP establishes a model integrated conservation and development
area in the Kikori River Basin, which covers an area of 2.3 million hectares in the
Southern Highlands and Gulf Provinces of PNG. The Kikori ICDP came into being
following the approval of the PNG National Executive Council in 1993.
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More than 20,000 people, from twelve different ethnic groups, live in the project area
and rely on the natural resources of its forests and streams for their subsistence
livelihood. The Kikori ICDP is assisting these local communities with the long‐term
protection of their region’s considerable biological diversity by promoting
ecologically‐sustainable development.
The Kikori River catchment represents one of the most intact and thus biologically rich
environments in PNG, and for that matter in the Asia/Pacific region. The catchment
cuts through five ecoregions: sub‐alpine grasslands, montane rainforests, lowland
rainforests, freshwater swamp forests, and mangrove forests. Moreover, the Kikori
Delta contains one of the largest mangrove forests in the Pacific. The catchment is also
one of the last areas in New Guinea that contains an array of different forest types and
iconic wildlife such as birds of paradise, cassowaries, and tree kangaroos. Lake
Kutubu lies in the heart of the WWF Kikori ICDP project area.
The project is also globally important because it is the first model of a major oil
consortium and an environmental organization working in partnership to protect an
environmentally sensitive area. Likewise, the project is to improve conservation
science in that it is testing several cutting‐edge conservation methodologies including
community‐driven conservation enterprises, and international liaison to create an
enabling policy environment supportive of conservation.
Ultimately, the success of this project will be measured by the ability of the local
people to manage the various activities on their own. Top priority is being given to the
involvement, endorsement, and participation of local people, and landowners in all
stages of the project because of the customary land tenure system in the catchment
area which affords outright ownership to the clan. Local community and business
development organizations, provincial governments, and national governments are
also key partners in the project because their support and contributions are critical to
complement those of the local landowners, and contribute to achieving the objectives
of the CMP.
The WWF Kikori ICDP has four objectives:
• To strengthen community capacity for human and natural resources management
such that it contributes to biodiversity conservation.
• To assist community groups to establish or strengthen sustainably managed areas
or resource management strategies for biodiversity conservation.
• To assist community groups to establish, manage, and benefit from sustainable
enterprises that use natural resources and contribute to biodiversity conservation.
• To contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for biodiversity
conservation in the Kikori catchment.
Since 1994, the WWF Kikori ICDP has worked to conserve the sensitive ecosystem of
the Kikori River Basin by assisting people from this area in conserving their resources
under threat from logging companies and large‐scale development projects. It has
been working with the local communities to devise and implement a science‐ based
conservation strategy for the area which emphasizes local needs. The project has
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worked to promote rural development activities which aim to reduce pressure on the
natural resources of the area: it has facilitated and promoted eco‐forestry, eco‐tourism
and other eco‐enterprise ventures by which communities can enjoy cash income
benefits.
Following the project’s initial field survey of biodiversity conducted in 1995, WWF has
to date undertaken a series biodiversity surveys. These surveys continue to confirm
the extraordinary flora and fauna which exists in the area and their conservation
status. The project has used the findings to raise communities’ awareness and build
their capacity to make well‐informed, ecologically sound decisions. The project also
realizes the importance of education with respect to its conservation science work.
Different approaches used for awareness‐raising and education include posters, radio,
theatre, and in‐service teacher training.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the DEC and the Community
Development Initiative (CDI) Foundation.
1.4. The policy and planning context
Lake Kutubu is situated within a highly contested social, political and economic
landscape. The increase in oil and gas development activity has resulted in a rise in
decision making tension both amongst clan groups and individuals, and between
landowners, government and external agencies. Oil and gas activity has also brought a
corresponding rise in the number of local people participating in the cash economy
and an influx of settlers seeking employment and the peripheral benefits from these
operations.
There is general concern that the expansion of oil and gas activities and the
accompanying opening up of new areas through greater road access will lead to a
further influx of settlers from other areas of PNG. The increased road access could also
lead to the unregulated development of other small‐scale activities such as extraction
of timber for local construction, harvesting (including hunting) of natural forest
products, and clearing of forest land for homesteads and gardens.
Consequently, the increasing level of development in the Lake Kutubu catchment is an
issue of national significance to PNG. Three levels of planning and policy context were
identified during the consultations with stakeholders:
1. Local level: contested customary land tenure
2. National level: arbitrary and unreliable
3. International: coherent but lacks the legislative power to compel
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Figure 1.2: The policy and planning context in PNG
Policy and planning instruments already exist at the national and international levels
which provide the regulatory or obligatory framework within which conservation and
environmental management can operate in PNG:
National level
• The PNG constitution 1975
• Conservation Areas Act 1978
• Fauna (Protection and Control) Act (Chapter 154)
• Fauna (Protection and Control) Regulation (Chapter 154)
• National Parks Act 1992
• PNG Land Act 1996
• PNG Oil and Gas Act 1998
• PNG Total Catchment Environment Management (concept) 1996
• PNG Environment Act 2000 (the legal framework for regulating the environmental
effects of the PNG Gas Project, administered by DEC)
• Fauna (Protection and Control) Act, Lake Kutubu Wildlife Management Area
Rules (Chapter 154) 2002
Regional/International level
• ADB / SPAC Pacific Region Action Plan on Sustainable Water Management 2002
• Activities on rural water and sanitation programmed in the ADB PNG Country
Strategy and Program Update 2004
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• Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) 1971 (PNG
became a signatory in 1975)
• The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) 1971 (PNG became a signatory
in 1994)
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (PNG became a signatory in 1993)
• Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change (PNG became a signatory in 1993)
• The International Trade (Fauna and Flora) Act
• UN Millennium Development Goal 7: ensuring environmental sustainability
If the integrated catchment management approach enshrined in this CMP is to
succeed, policy and planning must have a coordinated and strategic approach across
the three realms ‐ international, national and local – and must be in line with the policy
and planning context within PNG.
1.5. Status of the Catchment Management Plan
The CMP currently has no statutory status in PNG and should be considered as
supplementary guidance for the various organisations, agencies and individuals with
responsibilities for the well‐ being of the Lake Kutubu catchment and Kikori River and
its associated environment and communities.
There is currently no guidance to indicate that developments or other activities must
comply with this Plan. However, a number of measures that are recommended in this
CMP will most effectively be delivered through incorporation into the current and
future Southern Highlands Provincial Government (SHPG), Local Level Government
(LLG) and protected area planning processes. It is therefore hoped that the SHPG, LLG
and protected area authorities within the Lake Kutubu Catchment will take the
provisions of the CMP into account in the preparation and implementation of Local
Plans. This also applies to other organizations and agencies, who are encouraged to
incorporate the aims and objectives of the Plan into their decision‐making processes
and into the development of any plans and projects.
The more that other plans, strategies and programmes make reference to the CMP, the
greater the links will become and the more effective the CMP will be.
1.6.
How
the
CMP
was
developed
1.6.1 Stakeholder consultations
Two consultative workshops were held in 2007 involving stakeholders from around
the Lake Kutubu catchment, as well as those representing the Department of
Environment and Conservation.
The first of these was a two day workshop held at Tubo Lodge, Lake Kutubu in March
2007. Twenty‐eight (28) participants attended the workshop, both men and women,
drawn from the communities living in the catchment. The purpose of this workshop
was to get the community’s view on the issues in the catchment area, and how best to
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address them. The table below provides names of key participants and organizations
and their role in the catchment.
Table 1.1: Names of village participants who attended the community workshop
# Name Sex Village Region
1 Buamo Hasigi M Kantobo Lower Foi
2 Benedict Hunapi M Kantobo Lower Foi
3 Wakson Hoki M Kantobo Lower Foi
4 Alice Kage F Tugiri Upper Foi
5 Martin Feramena M Wasemi Upper Foi
6 Paul Karogi M Wasemi Upper Foi
7 Nadi Fairi M Tugiri Upper Foi
8 Herman Kone M Tugiri Upper Foi
9 Daniel Kage M Tugiri Upper Foi 10 James Irimari M Yo’obo Upper Foi
11 Moses Kaipu Konefapu M Tubage Upper Foi
12 Stanley Wapi M Tugiri Upper Foi
13 Moses Daima M Yo’obo Upper Foi
14 Jack Obea M Tubage Upper Foi
15 Lawrence Kage M Tugiri Upper Foi
16 Jenny Mora F Gesege Upper Foi
17 Ruth Peter F Gesege Upper Foi
18 Elisabeth Kusa F Yo’obo Upper Foi
19 Martha Francis F Tugiri Upper Foi 20 Richard Ba’abi M Yo’obo Upper Foi
21 Nelson Alina M Paua Huli
22 Timothy Giwi M Paua Huli
23 Moses Henry M Paua Huli
24 Thomcy Mai M Gesege Lower Foi
25 Yuru Yeya M Gesege Upper Foi
26 Penny Yarogi M Tugiri Upper Foi
27 Paua councillor M Paua Huli
28 Morris Awa M Tamadigi Faso
A Catchment Management Forum was established and six people were nominated
onto the forum: two representatives from upper catchment, two from the lower and
four from villages around the lake. It was envisaged at that time that the forum would
meet every three months (quarterly) and include senior representatives from the
Department of Environment and Conservation, local level government, OSL and
NGOs such as WWF and CDI. Participants developed a set of 10 principles as a
framework for all land use planning decisions within the Lake Kutubu catchment and
established a set of four overarching goals with their respective objectives:
Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Forum: Decision Making Principles
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1. Our landscape, our culture and society are interconnected: damage to our landscape
is damage to our culture and society.
2. Maintain ground and surface water quality because our water is our life
3. Any use of water must be with landowner’s consent
4. No road construction without landowner consent
5. Maintain air quality
6. All sacred sites will be protected through closure
7. All fishing will be based on sustainable fishing practices
8. All waste from the oil and gas development must be managed to international
standards
9. Ensure protection of our biodiversity
10. No use of guns in protected areas
Once the decision making principles were established, a set of 4 goals were developed from the issues and aspirations raised at the workshop:
Goal 1: Protect and maintain existing fish populations with the aim of returning
them to past abundance
Goal 2: Maintain and protect the integrity of existing forests and biodiversity
Goal 3: Monitor and maintain air quality and prevent further pollution
Goal 4: Maintain and monitor water quality and prevent further pollution
Each of these goals has a corresponding set of objectives as detailed in Annex 2 of this
Plan.
In August 2007, a 2‐day consultative workshop was held to inform stakeholders about
the catchment management planning process and to solicit additional input on issues
of priority concern for inclusion in the CMP. This was attended by 17 people,
representing the local communities, and other major stakeholders in the catchment
area:
Table 1.2: Names of participants of the workshop and their organization
#
Name
Designation
Organization
1 Sarah Ekali Environment .Advisor OSL (HSE)
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2 Peter John Sust. Livelihoods Manager CDI Foundation
3 Dennis Badi Conservation Edu. Officer WWF KRP
4 Felix Kinginapi Species Officer WWF KRP
5
Amos Ona
Kikori River Programme
Manager WWF KRP
6 Eric Manasi Catchment Man. Officer WWF KRP
7 Tony Kuman Liaison Officer DEC
8 Enoch Council officer (rep) Kutubu LLG
9 Nixon Mira Manager KSPA
10 Herman Kone Committee Tugiri village
11 James Irimaru Committee Yoʹobo village
12 Thomcy Mai Committee Gesege village
13 Martin Feramena Committee Wasemi village
14 Lawrence Kage Committee LK WMA
15 Moses Konefabu Committee PNF (CBO) 16 Benedict Hunapi Representative Kantobo village
17
Morris Awa Representative
Tamadigi village
(Faso)
Abbreviation note:
DEC – Department of Environment and Conservation
KSPA – Kutubu Special Purpose Authority – established under the local level government to
manage all funds from the oil project to undertake infrastructure development in the Kutubu
area
LKWMA – Lake Kutubu Wildlife Management Area
OSL (HSE) – Oil Search Limited (Health Safety & Environment)
WWF KRP – World Wide Fund for Nature Kikori River Programme
CDI – Community Development Initiative Foundation Trust Fund
LLG – Local Level Government
PNF – Protect Nature for Future – a community based organization (CBO).
Following the mission in August 2007, a review was undertaken of existing reports
and technical documents, as well as the outputs from the two stakeholder discussions,
to determine the strategy, vision, goal, overall objectives, management objectives and
associated management actions for the Lake Kutubu CMP.
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2. STRATEGY, VISION, GOALS AND OVERALL
OBJECTIVES FOR THE LAKE KUTUBU CATCHMENT
MANAGEMENT PLAN
2.1.
Strategy for
the
Lake
Kutubu
CMP
A necessary prerequisite for the success of any CMP is the existence of an effective
institutional and regulatory framework to support its implementation. In order for a
CMP to be effective, different institutions involved in planning land use and resource
utilization need to share a common framework. Moving towards a more integrative
catchment management approach requires coordination of a range of management
entities and key stakeholders. Such coordination, in turn, requires specific
arrangements for resolving conflicts and making joint decisions.
The Lake Kutubu CMP is not a one‐off plan for managing water resources in the
catchment but rather a phased implementation of a dynamic, participative, integrated
process that serves, in the first 5 years of implementation, to address the immediate
priority concerns identified by the stakeholders. The process consists broadly of the
following steps: data collection, investigation, information assimilation, planning,
implementation, monitoring and control, auditing and review. These components
need to be integrated and implemented through an institutional framework that is yet
to be developed in PNG. At the end of the first 5 year period, the outcomes will need
to be reviewed and the CMP revised accordingly for the subsequent 5 years.
The baseline technical studies and stakeholder consultations identified a number of
issues which need to be addressed within the Lake Kutubu catchment. In developing
this CMP, five major areas of concern were identified, as detailed below, in no order of
priority:
6. The lack of a functioning institutional and regulatory framework at the local,
provincial and national levels to support catchment management planning;
7. The lack of awareness about catchment management planning among policy
and decision‐makers, coupled with a lack of technical and financial capacity to
implement a catchment management plan;
8. Declining water quality in the Lake Kutubu area;
9. Threats to the existing fish populations and fisheries in the Lake Kutubu area;
and
10. Threats to the biological diversity in the Lake Kutubu area (including the threat
of invasive species).
The first two areas of concern can be addressed by actions taken at the local,
provincial, and national level, working primarily with policy and planning authorities,
to enhance the institutional and regulatory framework for catchment management
planning in PNG. The lessons learnt from these actions can provide the impetus to
refine the Total Catchment Environmental Management Policy championed by the
DEC, and aid in advocacy efforts for its eventual adoption and application.
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The remaining three areas of concern can best be addressed, in the first instance, at the
local community level. The added‐value of a focus at the community level is that it
provides an opportunity for the local communities to be actively involved in the
implementation of the CMP and in this way, builds their support for the CMP process;
allows them the opportunity to establish, review and refine mechanisms for
cooperation; contributes to increasing their awareness and understanding of the
importance of adopting a catchment‐level approach to conservation and sustainable
development; and builds their capacity so that they are able to serve as full partners in
the implementation of the CMP.
At the international level, given the fact that the entire Lake Kutubu catchment has
been designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site), opportunities
exist within the framework of the Ramsar Convention to access guidance and support
for the implementation of the CMP. Catchment‐level management planning is an
emerging area of work under the Ramsar Convention and other conventions e.g. the
ecosystem approach adopted by CBD, and lessons learnt from the development and
implementation of the Lake Kutubu CMP will go a long way in helping to refine the
suite of tools currently available.
2.2. Implementation of the Lake Kutubu CMP
It is envisaged that the CMP will be ‘adopted’ by the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Forum as a working document, and that other organisations named in
the CMP will be encouraged to sign up to complete, or contribute to, the achievement
of its objectives. The CMP covers a wide range of issues relating to the water resource
of the Lake Kutubu catchment for which a number of management objectives have
been defined. The CMP also contains a large number of recommended management
actions which, if implemented, will contribute to the future sustainable management
of the valuable resources within the catchment.
It is important to recognise that the CMP is simply part of an on‐going process of
developing a more integrated approach to management within the Kikori River
catchment. The Plan therefore needs to be aspirational if it is to achieve the goals
outlined in the WWF Kikori ICDP. This Plan cannot commit organisations and
agencies to funding the actions, and the timescales given are simply a measure of the
priority attached to each action. Nevertheless, it is important to identify all the known immediate key issues at this stage and to discuss and agree how best they might be
addressed, and who might be involved, either in a lead role or in a supporting role.
One of the benefits of an aspirational Plan such as this is that, as well as providing a
focus for future work priorities for organisations and agencies, it may also give added
weight to any application for special funding for implementing some of the actions.
Future monitoring of the CMP is fundamental to the successful implementation of
integrated management and effective delivery of the actions within the Plan. The CMP
will be monitored annually, with a major review once every five years, and it will be
updated regularly to reflect progress made on the recommended actions. It is important to note that because this Plan will be monitored, reviewed and regularly
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updated, priorities for action are likely to change over time as new issues arise and
progress is made towards implementing some of the actions. However, an issue may
arise in the not‐too‐distant future which is not covered in the Plan. For example, while
‘fisheries’ is a current issue and has been considered in detail, the potential long‐term
impacts of climate change on the catchment and the corresponding need to develop
appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies, has not been identified by
stakeholders as a priority issue in the Lake Kutubu catchment. The mechanism put in
place for periodic review will enable new issues, such as climate change impacts to be
accommodated and addressed.
Given that the WWF Kikori River Programme has been the driving force behind the
development of this CMP, and given the current lack of capacity in catchment
management planning among other key stakeholders, the strategy envisages that
WWF will have to take the lead in implementing the actions outlined in the Plan for
the first five years. If the integrated CMP approach is to succeed, policy and planning
must have a coordinated and strategic approach across the three policy and planning
realms – local, national and international. As one of the leading international
conservation organizations, and with its strong, long term ‘on the ground’ presence in
the Kikori region, WWF is in a good position to leverage all three realms.
2.3. Vision for the Lake Kutubu Catchment
The vision for the catchment, which seeks to incorporate the objectives of all
stakeholders, is as follows:
“To manage the river and its catchment in an integrated manner to achieve
stakeholder objectives and community outcomes through a common vision of:
• Secure communities
• Healthy and stable catchment and river system
• Environmental and conservation values enhanced
• Recreational and amenity values enhanced
• Land productivity and value improved
• Cultural values relating to river system, floodplains and the Lake protected.”
2.4. Goal for the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Plan
The goal for the Lake Kutubu CMP is as follows:
“Ecologically sustainable multiple‐use of the Lake Kutubu catchment.”
This Goal will be achieved through the:
• maintenance or enhancement of soil, vegetation and water quality;
• maintenance of biodiversity;
• maintenance of resource productivity; and
• optimisation of net financial and social benefits.
To meet the Goal, the natural resources of the catchment, including soil, water, vegetation and wildlife, must be responsibly managed through the coordinated action
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and support of all stakeholders, to ensure that these resources continue to meet the
economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations.
Stakeholders include all those who use, enjoy and benefit from the catchment.
Adopting a framework of multiple land use requires that all values and all
stakeholders be considered in making decisions about use of resources within the
catchment. Any significant action in one site and by one stakeholder alone, could
influence outcomes for other sites, stakeholders or values.
Overall Objectives
To make progress towards the goal it is necessary to set overall objectives and to
monitor their achievement. These serve as measures against which the success of
management objectives and individual actions can be measured. Taken as a group,
they are the basis for the combined measure of success. An appropriate set of overall
objectives, given the issues facing the Lake Kutubu catchment, are:
1. By prudent land use to enhance economic productivity while avoiding
environmental degradation or damage to other values;
2. In using natural renewable resources, to ensure their continuing
availability and to maintain their quality.
3. To maintain and conserve wildlife communities and necessary
ecological processes through the retention, protection and rehabilitation
of natural terrestrial and aquatic habitats both through a protected area
system and through private landholder cooperation.
4. To maintain the functional integrity and unique character of the Kikori
River system while fostering a diversity of land use and economic
activity within the catchment.
5. To encourage co‐operation and complementary activity among
stakeholders both government and private, to achieve the above overall
objectives.
2.5. Operations and Field Management: Annual Operating Plans and Budgets
Implementation of the processes that have been put in place to develop this CMP are
all conditional on the development and application of effective mechanisms for
applying the wide range of Management Objectives and Actions which are the central
outcome of the planning processes.
One of the few ways that CMPs can “hit the ground”, and progressively become an
effective way for the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Forum to apply them, is to
develop Annual Operational Plans (AOP) (see Figure 2.1). These, in turn, need to be
directly related to annual budgets and financial allocations.
Preparing an AOP involves a two‐stage process. In the first instance, it is necessary to
consider priority actions for the coming year that are laid out in the CMP. Secondly, it
is necessary to deliberate on how various actions and activities can be carried out in
the field.
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A number of factors will need to be considered, such as:
balancing manpower and other available resources;
constraints such as transport and access;
community activities;
training programmes; and
leave schedules.
An effective AOP process that anticipates problems and develops solutions should
result in the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management Forum being informed and
prepared for the tasks ahead. An approved AOP with adequate supporting budgets is
the main outcome of this process.
The AOP needs to be realistic and should accurately reflect the views and capability of
the people that will be involved in carrying out the various activities.
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Figure 2.1: Framework for the Lake Kutubu CMP and linkage to Annual
Operational Plans
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3. CATCHMENT REVIEW
Lake Kutubu is one of three sub‐ basins that make up the Kikori River Catchment. It is
an exceptionally clear, high‐altitude lake located in the centre of Southern Highlands
Province at an elevation of 800 m above sea level (Osborne and Totome 1999). It is the
largest upland lake in PNG. It occupies a total area of about 7,000 ha of which open water comprises approximately 5,000 ha and reed‐ beds and swamp forest more than
2,000 ha. The lake is fed through a series of small creeks and subterranean rivers that
flow beneath the surrounding limestone and karst ranges (WWF 2005, Osborne and
Totome 1999). It has a total catchment area of around 26,000 ha.
Table 3.1: Lake Kutubu vital statistics
Length: 19 km
Width: 4 km (at its widest point)
Depth: Mean depth 36.12 m and 68‐70 m at its deepest point
Volume: 1.825 km3
Area: Total area: approximately 7000 ha: 4924 ha (open water) & 2000 ha
(reed‐ beds and swamp forest)
Altitude: 808m
Geographical
coordinates
06°25.79’ S (latitude) and 143°20.22’ E (longitude)
Rainfall: Mean annual rainfall 4500mm with a mean monthly fluctuation of
only 200mm
Global Ranking: 5th largest lake on the island of New Guinea and 2nd largest lake in
PNG; one of the most important lake ecosystems in the Asia
Pacific region International
significance:
Lake Kutubu was officially designated as a Wetland of
International Importance (Ramsar Site) on 22 September 1998, in
recognition of its high biodiversity and conservation value, and
particularly for the fact that it has a level of fish endemicity that
exceeds any other lake in the entire New Guinea‐Australian
region.
Conservation
status at the
national level:
Gazetted as a Wildlife Management Area in 1992.
Kutubu Catchment:
One of three sub‐ basins in the larger Kikori River system which comprises:
o Tagari‐Hegigio Sub Basin
o Lake Kutubu‐Digimu‐Mubi Sub‐Basin
o Kikori Sub Basin
Lake Kutubu
catchment:
Establishing definite boundaries to the catchment is difficult due
to the complex karst terrain; it is thought to be approximately
26,000ha
Nearest
provincial
town:
Mendi 35km NE of Lake Kutubu
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3.1. Geomorphology and Topography
The lake was formed some 10 000 years ago when the south‐eastern end of the valley
was blocked off by volcanically derived lahar (debris avalanche) and tephra (air fall
ash deposits) from Mont Afuma. The upland areas of the catchment are described as a
desiccated terrain of Darai limestones and interbedded mudstones and sandstones.
Along its length, the lake is flanked by three different landforms, and four other
landforms are found in the Lake Kutubu Catchment. The seven different landforms
are:
• Karst landforms: Polygonal Karst
This is a very variable landscape of complex topography and hydrology. It often
lacks defined stream patterns, and most runoff is vertical, filtering down through
cracks in the limestone into cave systems, aquifers and underground streams that
can emerge as surface streams at long distances from their sources.
Polygonal karst forms in areas where the limestone surface is completely pitted
with closed depressions that divide the surface into a crudely polygonal pattern.
The depressions are typically referred to as dolines. The former ones that have
surface water flowing into an open void in the floor of the depression are
commonly referred to as sinkholes. Different types of polygonal karst are
recognized:
o Cockpit Karst
The Darai Plateau that flanks the southern margins of the lake consists of
cockpit karst, which is characterized by the presence of conically shaped
residual hills with rounded tops and relatively steep, convex side slopes.
o Unclassified Polygonal Karst
It occupies the Mubi valley. This karst forms a rugged terrain of cones,
pinnacles, towers, dolines and hummocks, caves, and underground rivers.
• Undifferentiated swamps at the north‐western end and the south‐eastern end of the
lake, with alluvial deposits.
• Fluvial Erosion and Mass Movement landform: Mountains and hills with No
Structural Control
This landform is a particular type of Fluvial Erosion and Mass Movement
landform, which are a complex of karst and other landforms altered by the
fracturing of limestone beds through intense folding, faulting and gravity‐
sliding into parallel‐trending slabs separated by underlying clastic sediments.
Strike ridges are interspersed with these limestone mountains and hills with no
structure control. Steep, with irregular slopes and caused by intense gullying,
this landform has a highly complex drainage pattern. This type of landform
forms the ranges in that part of the Kikori basin between Lake Kutubu and the
Mubi River. Peaks rise to 1 320 m ASL in the Iwa Range and to 1 397 m ASL at
Mt Kemenagi, the highest point adjacent to the lake at its southeast.
• Volcanic Landforms
Little‐dissected footslopes and volcano‐alluvial fans landform flanks the northern
margins of the Lake Kutubu.
• Composite alluvial plains occur along the Mubi River, in the north of the catchment.
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Soils
Fertile soils occur in the valleys where the volcanically derived soils are deposited. The
soils of the western and south‐eastern shores of the lake are shallow, dark, weakly acid
to neutral soils formed on calcareous parent materials. These are steeply sloping low
mountain and hill soils of subdominant Rendolls, Troporthents, and Eutropepts. Soils around the north‐eastern shores are moderately sloping (17‐34%), moderately to
strongly weathered soils with altered B‐horizons (subdominant Dystropepts,
Haplorthox, and various Andepts).
The different types of soil that are found in the Lake Kutubu Catchment are:
• Mollisols: slightly to moderately weathered soils with accumulation and
decomposition of relatively large amounts of organic matter in a base‐rich
environment.
• Inceptisols: well‐drained, very permeable soils with weakly developed subsurface
horizons. • Entisols: young soils with little profile development, typically occurring on recently
deposited alluvium, but also on erosional subsurface.
Areas of alluvium or lacustrine deposits occur along the northwest shore of Lake
Kutubu, where the soils are loose sands and silts that also have granular deposits from
sedimentation along the floodplains of the lake’s inflow tributaries (Kaimari and
Tugibu creeks).
Shorelines
Three common types of shoreline were identified in the lake, with a fourth found only at the mouths of Kaimari and Tugibu Creeks. These four types of shoreline are:
• Steeper shorelines with little or no littoral vegetation but often with rainforest trees
overhanging the lake edge. Substrates of steeper shorelines are mainly rock.
• Shallow shorelines with extensive swamp development which occur mainly at the
south‐eastern and north‐western areas of the lake (near Gesege and Tubage
respectively). These are dominated by pandanus trees and in places by sago palms
plus a variety of tall emergent grasses, reeds and sedges.
• Intermediate to these two extremes are shorelines with a well‐developed littoral
zone of emergent grasses, reeds, and sedges, but without extensive swamp
development. • Kaimari and Tugibu creeks are characterized by the formation of levee banks upon
which sudd (floating mat forming grasses) extend out into the lake.
3.2. Precipitation and Climate
The climate in the Lake Kutubu catchment is warm and wet, with little variation
throughout the year. The mean annual temperature is 23°C. Mean monthly
temperatures range between 21.5 and 24°C, with July & August being the coolest
period of the year. Mean daily temperature ranges from 17.3°C (minimum) to 28.6°C
(maximum). The minimum temperature recorded was 5°C, and the maximum was
39°C. The soil mean temperature is 23°C, while the minimum and maximum soil temperatures are respectively 20°C and 26°C.
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The mean annual rainfall is 4500 mm, with rain being recorded throughout the year
(70‐90% of all days), although there is a peak between May and October. It also has a
mean annual fluctuation of only 200 mm. The maximum rainfall recorded for one
month, 24 hours and one hour were respectively 1060 mm, 150 mm and 80 mm.
Humidity is consistently high throughout the year with mean monthly values of 85‐
90% at 09AM, and 70‐80% at 03PM.
The mountain areas of the Kikori basin are also affected by the seasonal south‐east
trade and north‐west monsoon winds.
Droughts associated with El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events occur regularly in PNG
and tend to recur at an interval of between 7 and 10 years. Previous El Niño Southern
Oscillation event years were 1965, 1972, 1982 and 1997. In the latter half of 1997, the
Kikori basin experienced a severe drought, which was reflected in the monthly rainfall
for August at Moro: in August 1997, the total rainfall was 27 mm, while in August
1995 (before the drought) it was 787 mm and after the drought, in August 1998, it was
717 mm.
Periodic swings in rainfall from one year to the other caused by El Niño Southern
Oscillation events can cause serious disruptions to village food supplies and dry up
traditional sources of drinking and domestic water.
3.3. Hydrology of the Lake Kutubu basin
The Lake Kutubu‐Digimu‐Mubi sub‐ basin comprises Lake Kutubu, the Digimu River
(which drains the lake) and the Mubi River of which the Digimu River is a tributary.
Delineation of the lake’s catchment is complicated owing to the extensive karst terrain.
The most important surface water inputs are Tugibu and Kaimari creeks in the
northwest catchment of the lake. Sama’a, Sumi and Gesege creeks are of secondary
importance. Numerous minor streams also drain into the lake, but most of these have
very small catchments and flow only following local rain events. The outflow of the
Lake is through the Soro River, which quickly becomes the Digimu River. The outflow
appears to act as a ‘spillway’ for the lake that tends to dampen seasonal fluctuations in
water level, although a water‐level amplitude of 2 m occurs, being highest at the end
of the wet season and lowest at the end of the dry season.
In the southeast of the lake’s catchment area, groundwater inflows from elevated karst
terrain predominate. Some areas on the shores of the lake are permanently inundated.
In addition, Lake Kutubu plays an important hydrological role in moderating floods in
the Soro River and thus the Kikori River system, and an important ecological role as
the only lake (supporting lacustrine processes and fauna) in the Kikori River system.
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3.3.1 Hydrological behaviour of the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Oligomixis
Lake Kutubu is classified as an oligomictic lake, characterised by distinct thermal
stratification with irregular periods of mixing. In the stratified conditions, two layers
can be identified in the water column: the upper one called epilimnium, and the
deeper one called hypolimnium. The limit between the two is called the thermocline,
located at the depth where a sudden change in temperature occurs.
Prolonged stratification and irregular periods of mixing have pronounced effects on
the spatial distribution of elements in the water column and the sediments, and hence
play a major role in determining lake productivity.
Stratified conditions
The thermocline is located between 10 and 25 m depth. The temperature difference
from the surface to the bottom varies between 1.6 and 3.3ºC. Marked chemoclines exist
in soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP), ammonium‐nitrogen (NH4‐N), nitrite‐nitrogen
(NO2‐N) and nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N). The following differences were observed
between the two layers of the lake:
Table 3.2: Lake Kutubu water quality characteristics in stratified conditions
Epilimnion Hypolimnion
Oxygen Well oxygenated.
Higher levels of oxygen above
the Characeae beds than at the
surface.
Low to undetectable oxygen
concentrations.
Smell of hydrogen sulphide.
SRP Undetectable. Higher levels.
NH4‐N Low levels. Higher levels.
NO2‐N Low levels. Higher levels.
NO3‐N Low levels. Peak level of NO3‐N in the
upper hypolimnion, then
lower concentrations.
Fe, Mn, Na, K,
Ca, Si
Low levels. Elevated concentrations.
Conductivity Around 170 μS/cm. Over 200 μS/cm. pH Around 8.1. Half a unit lower.
The surface waters present a significant diurnal warming, with a shift up to more than
2ºC. The small temperature gradient with depth imparts a significant density
difference to the water column.
The oxygen profile indicates some diurnal and seasonal variation, although the
hypolimnium is constant in its absence of oxygen. The diurnal increase in oxygen
levels of the surface water is due to the photosynthetic activity of the lush, submerged
aquatic plant beds at each end of the lake, since phytoplankton populations are sparse.
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Elevated dissolved oxygen values can be recorded over the dense fringing beds of
benthic macrophytes (Characeae).
Elevated concentrations of NO2‐N, NH4‐N, SRP, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium,
calcium, magnesium and silica in the hypolimnium indicate prolonged stability of the
water column.
Oligomixis and the proximity of the major inflows to the shallow outflow of the lake
result in the basin acting as a sink for materials. Stream‐ borne materials enter the lake
at depth. These materials are then trapped in the hypolimnion and because of the
stability of the water column, release to the epilimnion, if any, is slow.
Stratification Breakdown
Although Lake Kutubu’s stratification appears to be generally stable, overturning can
occur. It was recorded in 1978 and 1998, and was studied in 1990. Reportedly, the
upwelling does not affect the entire lake but only areas corresponding to the deepest
parts. Mixing may be triggered when abnormally cold and stormy weather occurs,
resulting in mixing of the deoxygenated hypolimnion with the epilimnion. This results
in low dissolved oxygen levels in the epilimnion, which causes mass fish kills due to
asphyxiation. In addition, the upwelling of nutrients into the epilimnion triggers
phytoplankton blooms, often involving blue‐green algae, which are often red‐
coloured.
Prolonged cool weather could reduce the temperature gradient of the water column
and induce vertical mixing. Unusually cold weather was recorded in the Highlands in
August and September 1990. Together with strong winds from the southeast, it caused
vertical mixing in the lake, the effects of which were noticed towards the middle of
September 1990. The tilted oxycline and chemoclines observed indicate upwelling of
hypolimnetic water at the south‐eastern end of the lake and the mixing of epilimnetic
water into the hypolimnion at the other end. Water clarity and water column stability
were re‐established by mid‐November 1990.
The lake is more turbid, with Secchi depths varying between around 1.5 and 5 m,
while in the normal conditions depths of 7 to 8 m are recorded. Surface water
temperatures are equal or lower than the minimum recorded in stratified conditions.
They are sometimes even cooler than at 5 or 10 m depth.
3.3.2 Sediment chemistry
The distribution of elements in the surface sediments exhibit distinct patterns due in
part to the proximity to inflows and to the depth.
Silicon (as SiO2) and aluminium (as Al2O3) are high near major inflows, while
manganese (as MnO) is high in sediments from the deeper parts of the lake. Calcium
(as CaO) is concentrated in the littoral sediments. Sulphur (as SO3) is more
concentrated in littoral areas with dense aquatic plant beds and in the deeper regions.
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Zirconium (Zr), titanium (as TiO2), gallium (Ga), nickel (Ni), yttrium(Y), lead (Pb) and
neodymium (Nd) are present in quite constant concentration below 30m. But in littoral
areas, they have either high concentrations decreasing slightly with depth or lower
concentration increasing with depth. The distribution of manganese, iron (as Fe2O3),
vanadium and phosphorous (as P2O5) correlate strongly with depth, with greater
variation in the shallower regions of the lake.
Silicon makes up around 50% of the sediments from below the thermocline and shows
less variation than in the shallow sediments. The depth distributions of aluminium,
zinc and nickel exhibit similar trends with greater variation in the more littoral zones.
Calcium and strontium are more concentrated in the littoral areas distant from the
major inflows than near these inflows or below the metalimnion.
Sediment deposition and elemental patterns
Zr, Ti, Ga, Ni, Y, Zn, Pb and Nd are elements usually associated with dense minerals
which are deposited rapidly and therefore indicate sediment sources. Titanium can be
used as a tracer for allochtonous material because it has a widespread distribution and
its concentration varies little between geological formations.
Prolonged anoxia of the hypolimnion results in the concentration of elements affected
by redox processes in the deeper sediments. Conversely, other elements, such as
calcium and strontium, are concentrated through biological activity in the littoral zone
sediments. The stability of the water column has allowed time for these patterns to
develop and accentuate. Some substances, which settle and are not subject to post‐
sedimentary migration, can be used to indicate sediment inputs to the lake basin.
3.3.3 The major hydrological role of the swamp forests
Swamp forests occur at the south‐eastern and north‐western ends of Lake Kutubu. The
Kaimari and Tugibu Rivers flow through the swamp forests before entering Lake
Kutubu.
Intense downpours can lead to sudden flooding in the lake’s inflowing creeks and the
lake may accordingly rise by 1m in depth for several weeks. At such times, the creeks
may flood into the swamp forest and the lake may also back‐flow into the swamp
forest. Despite relatively heavy rains, flood‐waters (coloured silt laden waters) are not
observed, and a gradual increase in stream discharge may occur but it is not evident.
This absence of sudden fluctuation in river water level in either the Kaimari or Tugibu
Rivers seems to indicate that the swamp provide an effective buffer against the influx
of water from local rainfall.
The most important hydrological finding is that peat underlies the swamp forest and
can reach up to several meters depth. This indicates a long history of peat
decomposition. Peat has the ability to store water and, to some extent, sediments and
debris from floods. In flood conditions, water would be absorbed by the peat, and
slowly released into the lake in dry conditions. The peat soil acts like a filter and
strains much of the large debris carried by floods, preventing it from reaching the lake.
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The peat swamp forest thus helps to ensure that the lake water remains clean and that
water levels are maintained, mostly because the lake’s main supply creeks run
through the swamp forest. Thus it is important that the peat be maintained and the
swamp forest kept in good functioning condition. Otherwise, water quality and
aquatic life, on which local people depend, may be affected negatively. It is thought
that floods can possibly initiate the breakdown of the lake’s stratification, which
generates mass fish kills. Therefore, swamp forest health contributes to the fish
population health.
In summary, it can be assumed that the swamp forest plays a key role as:
• Buffer for floods (storing water) and droughts (slowly releasing water); and
• Filter for debris and sediments from floods (vegetation trapping), and for
suspended loads of sediments.
3.3.4 Water
Quality
Water chemistry and nutrient status of Lake Kutubu
The waters of Lake Kutubu are usually clear with Secchi disc depths of 7.0‐8.3 m. The
high water clarity of the lake is due firstly, to the usually low nutrient status of the
epilimnic waters, which results from the low phosphorous and nitrogen loadings from
the predominantly limestone and sparsely‐populated catchment area, and secondly, to
the low and short lived suspended load of inflowing streams that allow for a low
turbidity. As inflowing waters are cooler than the lake surface waters, stream nutrient
loads and other dissolved and suspended materials deposit in the hypolimnion.
This water clarity allows for low phytoplankton biomass, and for high levels of
primary production, which in turn support profuse aquatic vegetation and
consequently a highly unique fish fauna. The prevalence of Characeae is indicative of
the high water clarity.
Water quality of the lake is characteristically high. Lake Kutubu water is alkaline with
pH of 7.6 to 8.1, and its conductivity ranges from 166 to 203 μS/cm, which reflects the
dominance of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and bicarbonates, derived from the
dissolution of limestone of the catchment’s karst terrain.
Physico‐chemical
features
of
the
Tugibu,
Kaimari
and
Soro
Rivers
Inflowing streams: their water temperatures are approximately 8ºC lower than the
surface lake water. The temperature and the high level of NO3‐N of the Tugibu River
indicate that its water enters the lake at depth. The largest of the affluent streams,
Kaimari Creek, and the Tugibu River enter the northwest end of the lake after passing
through extensive marshes and swamp forest where reduced water velocities settle
out entrained solids. The lake’s tributaries have generally a persistent milky coloration
that may be associated with the geology of the catchment, which is mostly limestone.
The characteristics of the Soro River (the lake’s outflow) water indicate that
epilimnetic water is leaving the lake.
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3.4. The Lake Kutubu Fishery
Lake Kutubu and surrounding creeks are home to twenty species of fish including at
least eleven (11) endemics. It is the most unique lacustrine habitat for fishes in PNG
and Irian Jaya. There is no other lake with so many endemic fishes in the entire New Guinea‐Australian region. Endemic species found in the lake are:
• Kutubu Tandan (Oloplotosus torobo);
• Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish ( Melanotaenia lacustris);
• Kutubu Hardyhead (Craterocephalus lacustris);
• Adamson’s Grunter (Hephaestus adamsoni);
• Kutubu Goby (Glossogobius sp.);
• Bluntsnout Goby (Glossogobius sp.);
• McCune’s Mogurnda ( Mogurnda macunae)
• Blotched Mogurnda ( Mogurnda spilota);
• Variegated Mogurnda ( Mogurnda
variegata; • Black Mogurnda (Mogurnda furva)
• Striped Mogurnda ( Mogurnda vitta);
• Mosa ( Mogurnda mosa)
Anecdotal evidence from local villagers at the Tubo Lodge workshop suggests that at
least three species are regarded as extinct by local people with a number of others
nearing a critical level.
The root causes of this situation are overfishing and the introduction and unregulated
use of modern fishing equipment such as synthetic nets and outboard motors.
Evidence suggests that overfishing results purely from over harvesting and household
consumption by local people.
3.4.1 Sustainable fish catch monitoring program
Concern expressed by Foe communities living around Lake Kutubu at what they
perceived as a long‐term decline in fish numbers and the size of fish that they were
catching led to the development of a subsistence catch monitoring program.
Monitoring was conducted between September 1995 and February 1997 at the villages
of Gesege, Tubage, Tugiri, Wasemi and Yo’obo, where each community has their own
territory for fishing. Subsistence catch monitoring recorded the catch composition; the total weight of the catch by species, and where possible individual weights and
lengths; the number of hours people were fishing; the number gender and age of
people fishing; the destination of the catch; the fishing gear or fishing method used;
and the area where fishing took place. In addition to fishing activity, catch, and
weather data, a daily vessel survey of each canoe landing site being monitored was
conducted to record the number of canoes or dinghies; the presence and horsepower
(hp) of outboard motors; and the condition of the vessels.
Summary of the main results:
• Total annual catch estimate – 70.1 tons • Average catch/person/day – 121.2g
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• Average number fish caught/day – 6
• 5,804 crayfish/day & 3,409 fish/day
• Three of the 19 species caught contributed 80% to the total catch weight;
• Much of the catch came from a few localities;
• Gill net mesh size ranged from 25mm to 87.5mm.
• Yield of 1.4 tons/km2/yr
• Replacement value $AUD 357,427
When the data for all villages were pooled, three of the species contributed 80% of the
total catch weight: Crayfish (35%), Adamson’s Grunter (23%), and Fimbriate Gudgeon
(22%). Another two species Kutubu Mogurnda (10%) and Southern Tandan (4%))
contributed a further 14% of the catch. The remaining 14 species recorded in the catch
contributed only 6% of the total catch weight. Fish of all weights and lengths were
captured; no fish size seems to have been rejected.
Fish were caught by a variety of methods including more traditional methods such as poisoning with plant extracts such as Derris. However, data for the five villages pooled
showed handlining (30%), handline/crayfish (24%), spearing (17%) and gill netting
plus mixed gill netting (17%), contributed most by weight. Handlining and crayfishing
are the two most important fishing activities as they contributed to 54% of total catch
weight for the five villages. There was a seasonal difference in the combined daily
catch weight of the five villages, with more fish being caught in the early wet season.
Gill netting was by far the most efficient fishing methods as far as the catch weight per
hour.
A large proportion of people (111 people or 19% of the 5 villages) engaged daily in
fishing activity, indicating the importance of fishing to the Foe (lake) people. The number of person hours per day spent fishing for the five villages combined was
estimated to be 370.3 persons‐hours per day. Females undertook the majority of
fishing (53% to 85% of the fishing effort at each village).
The monitoring program identified for each village a number of areas which appeared
to be heavily fished on the basis of either the total catch weight or the total catch of a
single species. In order to enable fish species to reproduce and guarantee an increase
in the population size, the program recommended a minimum net mesh size of 2.5”.
Sustainable fish catch strategies proposed and implemented
There were differences between villages in both species composition and mean catch
weight per day per person. There were also some seasonal differences in catch weight,
with a significantly greater weight being caught in what approximates to the early wet
season. The monitoring program needs to monitor the 5 villages for a full year so that
a reasonable extrapolation can be made. It is apparent that this multi‐species fishery is
captured by a variety of means, which suggests that a variety of fisheries management
strategies are needed.
Four options for closure of heavily fished areas were proposed to the lake
communities, of which the following two were subsequently adopted:
• A gill net exchange for 2.5” mesh nets.
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• Alternating one‐year closure for heavily‐fished areas.
The concerned landowners were provided with signboards, in order for them to
indicate the closed area. Landowners were trained to monitor stock assessment
transects before closure and prior to re‐opening of closed areas. A preliminary analysis
of the implementation of these options suggested an improvement in fish stocks; a big
increase in the number and average size of fish was observed in the closed areas.
3.5. Biological resources of the Lake Kutubu catchment
3.5.1 Biodiversity value of the Kikori basin
The Kikori basin contains one of the largest remaining tracts of undisturbed rainforest
in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of PNGʹs major terrestrial habitats are represented
in its broad altitudinal range including high diversity lowland rainforest and alpine
flora. The basin is said to be one of the most biologically rich areas in PNG. Over 2000
moth species, over 200 butterfly species, more than 100 freshwater fish species, around
250 bird species, more than 60 species of frogs and 103 mammal species have been
found to live in the area.
The Great Papuan Plateau is the largest limestone (karst) landscape in PNG and is
likely to support a high number of endemic species and perhaps genera.
The mudflats in the lower Kikori delta have been identified a very important site for a
variety of waterbirds and as an important staging area for migratory waterbirds along
the East Asia Australasia flyway; A Directory of Asian Wetlands1 , produced in 1989,
lists a total of 59 species of birds waterbirds found in this area.
The Kikori basin has about half the bird species richness of the entire North American
continent. It is home to a rich assemblage of birds‐of‐paradise species as well as the
world’s only underground roosting bird, the Greater Melampitta ( Melampitta gigantea).
Lake Kutubu has 12 endemic species of fish.
PNG holds the world’s record for the most number of resident orchid species; the
forests of Kikori abound in these species, many of which remain to be discovered. In
November 2006, WWF announced the discovery of the Cadetia sp. (species name yet to
be given) along with seven other previously undiscovered species of orchids in the
region around Lake Kutubu.
Other noteworthy species include cassowaries, tree kangaroos, the world’s longest
lizard, the world’s largest pigeon, the world’s second largest butterfly and the world’s
largest moth.
Collectively, these natural resources put the Kikori basin on the map as an exceptional
global biodiversity treasure. Indeed, scientists have also documented a large number
1 Scott, D.A. (1989). A Directory of Asian Wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, U.K.
xiv + 1181 pp., 33 maps.
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of species previously unknown to the international scientific community. This
included the discovery of more than 28 new species of frogs, 10 new species of
freshwater fish, 3 new species of rats and a new species of carnivorous marsupial. One
of the most unusual finds was a previously undescribed species of blind cave fish.
3.5.2 Flora
Five vegetation types have been identified in the Lake Kutubu Catchment:
• Lower montane small crowned forest, between 1200 and 1800 m ASL.
This forest has an even to undulating canopy 20 to 30 m in height and is very
dense to almost closed. Nothofagus is absent or very rare. Ferns and epiphytes are
common. Trees tend to be thin, and oaks (Castanopsis and Lithocarpus) tend to be
very common, dominating in some areas. While somewhat less diverse in tree
species composition than other forests, this area still shows reasonable vegetative
diversity.
• Lower montane small crowned forest with Nothofagus, between 1200 and 1800 m
ASL.
The canopy is more closed and even than the previous type and is dominated by
Nothofagus
grandis.
• Low altitude medium crowned forest on uplands, between 600 and 1 200 m ASL.
It has a fairly even canopy approximately 30 m high with emergents up to 35 m in
height. Tree crowns average between 8 and 15 m in diameter, and larger crowns
are rare. Orchids and figs are very common, ferns are moderately common, and
palms and Pandanus are sparse. The understorey is generally open, and there is a
ground layer of seedlings, ferns, Selaginella and gingers. Conifers such as Libocedrus
papuanus and Phyllocladus hypophyllus become abundant, and oaks (Castanopsis and
possibly Lithocarpus) are common.
• Lower montane very small crowned forest complexes with Nothofagus, between
600 and 1 200 m ASL.
The forest has a dense, evenly textured, dark‐toned canopy 5 to 15 m in height.
Nothofagus dominates in some areas such as along ridges, but is far less obvious
than in the higher regions to the north. There are fewer ferns but more vines in this
forest type.
• Swamp woodland and forest complexes, between 600 and 1 200 m ASL.
Swamp woodland is a dense layer of sago palms ( Metroxylon
sagu) with scattered
broad‐leafed trees and an understorey of sedges, ferns, reeds and/or grasses.
Mixed swamp forest has an irregular open canopy of medium to very small
crowned trees 20 to 30 m high and an understorey of sago palms visible in gaps in
the canopy. Sago and tree density varies, giving this type of forest a very patchy
appearance.
The Lake Kutubu swamp forest is important as an isolated highland occurrence of
swamp forest and in composition differs significantly from swamp forest found at
lower altitudes. It supports 95 bird species and 19 mammal species, including one
threatened bird species and one threatened mammal species. Its timber and non‐
timber products are also extensively used by local people, especially for construction,
wild food, and the trade of oil from Campnosperma , which is used for ceremonial
purposes. Four main vegetation communities were identified in the swamp forest:
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• A low forest or woodland dominated by Pandanus and with a broken canopy of
varied height. Rattan (Calamus sp.) cane palms were abundant in some areas. Often
situated at the innermost part of the swamp forest.
• A forest of medium height and uniform continuous canopy with a high density of
trees. Dominated by up to three species: Garcinia , Syzygium and Campnosperma.
Pandanus is common and at ground level the tall sedge Scleria and pitcher plants
Nepenthes are abundant.
• A tall forest of continuous canopy of varied height. No obvious dominant tree
species. It has elements in common with the nearby hill forests. Mainly occurs in
the transition zone at the edge of swamp and along rivers and creeks.
• A medium height forest or woodland dominated by Gymnostoma papuana over
dense understorey, which occurred only around the lakeshore near Soro River and
immediately to the north.
Aquatic Vegetation
The trophic structure of the lake is based on the primary productivity of the lake’s
marginal and submerged vegetation. In Lake Kutubu, four vegetation groupings, or
zones, can be distinguished:
• Tall emergent zone
It forms the fringing littoral margins of the lake to a maximum depth of 2.5m
(during maximum lake fill). There appeared to be a zonation pattern with
tropical reed (Phragmites karka) occupying the more landward margins followed
by the broad‐leaved grass ( Miscanthus floridulus) and pandanus palm (Pandanus
sp.), and finally a mixture of reed (Scirpus grossus), bulrush (Typha orientalis) and
several mat‐forming grasses (e.g. Leersia
hexandra). Sometimes the smartweeds of the family Polygonaceae (e.g. Polygonum attenuatum) formed a dominant
component bordering the tall emergent zone.
• Aquatic mixed plant beds zone
It comprises either a mixture of cosmopolitan species or one of the following
species as a single species stand: water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata), hornwort
(Ceratophyllum demersum), water nymph (Najas tenuifolia), eelgrass (Vallisneria
natans), ducklettuce (Ottelia alisimoides) and pondweed (Potamogeton malaianus).
The mixed community generally occurs in shallow waters to depths of 3 to 4m,
although it may extend locally into deeper waters.
• Aquatic Characeae plant beds zone
It is dominated by stonewort (Nitella pseudoflabellata.) This species forms a dense
mono‐specific mat over the bottom of the lake. The Characeae community either
abutted the mixed plant beds zone, the tall emergent zone or the non‐vegetated
lake edge where the bank is steep. The aquatic Characeae plant beds zone
generally occurs at depths ranging from 2.5m to depths of between 4.5 and
7.5m.
• The fourth type is confined to the mouths of Kaimari and Tugiri Creeks. These
creeks are characterized by the formation of levee banks upon which ebb
(floating
mat
forming
grasses) extends out into the lake.
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Two aquatic plants found in the lake, water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and hydrilla
(Hydrilla
verticillata), are recognized as having pest potential but neither seems to
present a weed problem at present. No Salvinia molesta (Giant Water Fern) or
Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth) have been seen in the lake but the potential for
weed introduction to the lake has been enhanced by recent improvements in road
access and increased population movement.
In the Lake Kutubu area, 433 species of plants have been recorded from the different
surveys, and 33 species of aquatic or semi‐aquatic plants. A total of 89 species of
orchids have been identified to‐date.
The flora in this area exhibits some unusual aspects such as the occurrence of
Nothofagus grandis at altitudes as low as 800 m. This species usually occurs above 2000
m. Another unusual plant occurrence is that of Tapeinochilos sp., which is normally a
lowland species, but has been recorded at altitudes of up to 800m in this area.
One tree species (Eucalyptopsis
papuana) has been recorded in only two areas in PNG country, including within the Ramsar site. This species has been assessed in Australia
for anti‐tumour activity.
20 undescribed species of orchids have been found at Lake Kutubu alone. An orchid
survey of the Lake Kutubu area indicated that the area (including Moro and Iagifu
ridge areas) supports at least one third (38%) of the total orchid genera found in PNG.
The survey also found two endemic orchid genera (Hymenorchis and Ridleyella) from a
total of 14 genera occurring in New Guinea. The highest number of orchid species was
recorded at around 700‐900 m ASL.
3.5.3 Aquatic
fauna
Fish and crustaceans
In total, 26 different species of fish occur in the Lake Kutubu catchment, of which 22
occur in the lake and 12 are endemic to the lake. This makes it the most unique
lacustrine fish community in the entire New Guinea‐Australia region. Two species of
crustaceans occur in the catchment.
Aquatic insects
The aquatic insect component of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the catchment has
been poorly researched or studied, except for the Order Odonata comprising
damselflies (Zygoptera) and dragonflies (Anisoptera), waterbugs (Heteroptera) and whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae). A 1995 survey recorded a total of 52 aquatic insects,
comprising 32 species of the Suborder Heteroptera, 17 of the Suborder Zygoptera and
3 of the family Gyrinidae.
3.5.4 Terrestrial fauna
Mammals
To date, 62 species of non‐volant mammals have been recorded in the Lake Kutubu
Catchment, of which 21 occur in the swamp forests and 16 are endemic to New
Guinea. 9 species of bats were directly recorded and another 39 species could
potentially occur there according to their ecology.
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A rat species (Rattus sp.nov.), which is new to science, and a rare species of Three‐
striped Dasyure ( Myoictis melas) were recorded on Mt. Kemenagi. The swamp forests
harbour one threatened mammal species, the Long‐ beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii),
and one rare species, the Round‐eared Tubed‐nosed Bat ( Myctimene cyclotis). Two
species of Tree Kangaroo, Doria’s Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus dorianus) and
Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus
goodfellowi), both of which are considered
vulnerable to hunting pressures, have been recorded around the Lake.
Birds
Cumulatively, a total of 194 species of birds have been recorded in the Lake Kutubu
WMA and the Moro area. This includes two species listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN
Red List – New Guinea Harpy‐Eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae) and Vulturine Parrot
(Psittrichas fulgidus). Three ‘Near‐threatened’ species have also been recorded: Dwarf
cassowary (Casuarius bennetii) , Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) , and New Guinea
Bronzewing (Henicophas
albifrons). One species, the Banded Yellow Robin (Poeclodryas
placens), which is listed as data deficient in the Red List, has also been recorded.
Reptiles & Amphibians
There is little information on the reptile and amphibians of the Lake Kutubu area as no
comprehensive survey has been conducted. The Boelens Python ( Morelia boeleni) is
endemic to Papua New Guinea and generally inhabits forested montane regions of
over 1000 m elevation on the main island. Although no official records exist for the
Lake Kutubu catchment area, anecdotal sightings of this species have been reported
from the Moran and Southeast Mananda areas. The Boelens Python is currently listed
on Appendix II of CITES (protected but not endangered, exportation allowed with legal documents), and is protected in PNG.
Most of the frogs are forest‐dwelling species. Some of these are essentially riparian,
while others breed on the forest floor or in the canopy. The high diversity of tree frog
species (Hylidae) present indicates the importance of streams as breeding areas for
these frogs. Clear, torrential streams appear to be a favoured habitat for torrent‐
dwellers such as Litoria. Hylid tree frogs have a reproduction strategy that depends on
access to free‐standing waters or flowing streams for breeding, egg laying and larval
(tadpole) development and, hence, rely on good riparian habitat and water quality for
the successful maintenance of viable, self‐sustaining populations. On the other hand, microhylid frogs have a reproductive strategy that is independent of free‐standing
water and have radiated extensively in the constantly moist habitats.
In total, 34 frog species have been recorded at Moro. A wide variety of aquatic
habitats, as well as some light rain during the dry season allow for this diversity, and
especially for the high proportion of hylids. Interestingly, the number of species
recorded increased from 24 in the wet season to 33 species in the dry season. This
finding reinforces the importance of considering seasonal variations in frog activity
when assessing patterns of frog diversity. A number of species was found only along
torrential streams, and several other species occurred only near small, slow‐flowing streams.
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Small foothill streams and torrents, specifically those located in the Moro area,
harbour at least 3 undescribed tree frogs, 2 of which are currently known only from
this area. Therefore, the streams along Moro should be considered as significant
habitats and disturbance to these areas should be minimized. The ridge‐top forest,
around 1 300 m ASL, also appear to harbour a number of species not found at other
altitude. Given the wide distribution of frog species in this region, some of which are
found only in a particular habitat type at a particular altitude, protection measures
should be in place for a range of habitats at different altitudes. Current measures
appear to be adequate for protecting the frog fauna around Moro.
Insect diversity
A high diversity of moth species (656 species of which 269 have been identified) and
50 species of butterflies have been recorded at a site near Moro, not far from the lake.
Lake Kutubu supports more species of birdwing butterfly (i.e. 5 of 8 species) than any
other known site in PNG. All are listed on Appendix II of CITES. These are: Goliath
birdwing (Ornithoptera
goliath), the world’s second largest birdwing butterfly; Paradise
birdwing (Ornithoptera paradisea); Meridionalis birdwing (Ornithoptera meridionalis);
Priamus birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus poseidon); and Troides birdwing (Troides
oblongomaculatus papuensis). Food plants for these species grow on well‐drained soils
on ridges above the lake.
3.5.5 Noteworthy Areas of Terrestrial Biodiversity
The Lake Kutubu catchment covers several bioregions: most of the Moro Region, the
northern corner of the Mubi River Karst, the eastern part of the Iagifu Agogo
Limestone Uplands, and a portion of the southern end of the Eastern Upland Volcanic
Karst.
Some specific areas within the Lake Kutubu catchment have noteworthy biodiversity
values, and may be particularly sensitive to potential large‐scale project‐related
impacts:
• Swamp Forests (north‐western and south‐eastern end of the lake)
These forests support 95 bird species and 21 non‐volant mammal species, including
one threatened mammal species (Long‐ beaked Echidna) and one rare mammal
species (Round‐eared Tubed‐nosed Bat). They also support a range of specialist
birds, including 6 IUCN Red List bird species (the New Guinea Harpy‐Eagle,
Vulturine Parrot, Dwarf cassowary, Palm Cockatoo, New Guinea Bronzewing and
Banded Yellow Robin), and a range of aquatic fauna.
• Streams and Riparian Vegetation
Stream conditions in the higher‐altitude hill and mid‐montane forests are important
for maintaining populations of specialist species such as Torrent frogs, and birds
such as Salvadori’s Teal (Salvadorina waigiuensis), Torrent‐lark (Grallina bruijni), and
Torrent Robin ( Monachella muelleriana). Riparian vegetation at these altitudes can be
a specialized habitat for hydromyine rodents and less commonly, for birds.
• Lower montane small crowned forest with Nothofagus (at the northeast and east
of the lake).
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3.6. Land ownership
The first European contact was some 60 years ago. The general area remains one of the
least densely populated areas of the country.
3.6.1 Land ownership
All land in the Lake Kutubu catchment is under customary ownership. Three linguo‐
cultural groups exist in the area. The major one, the Foe, numbering about 2000
people, live in 8 main villages (Soro, K Point, Tubage, Wasemi, Inu Station, Tugiri,
Yo’obo, and Gesege villages) and many small settlements on the shores of the Lake. A
few Fasu are spread to south west of Lake Kutubu and own the land in which the oil
fields are located. And few Huli populate the catchment’s extreme north‐western end.
Clan societies are male‐dominated and patrilineal. Each clan segment holds communal
and individual ownership of areas of land, which are passed down from father to son.
A person may acquire rights to other land through marriage or exchange. In the Foe
area there are 45 main clans and a number of these have further divided into sub clans,
making a total of 78.
3.6.2 Sites of cultural significance
Sites of traditional significance are mainly natural features associated with folklore,
myths or particular cultural practices and sites of known former occupation by a clan.
Lake Kutubu is the location for a number of traditional myths and is the most
prominent site in this category in the Kutubu oilfields. A number of archaeological
sites exist in the area, such as major and minor occupational sites, single find localities,
traditional sites related to clan origins, and human burial sites.
3.7. Land use
The villagers around the lake cultivate sago, which provides 75% of their food volume.
Sago is exploited mainly for sago starch, but also for collection of sago grubs for food,
and fronds and leaves for building purposes.
People divide their time between permanent villages and temporary hunting,
gardening and fishing settlements. Subsistence gardens are developed near both the
permanent villages, and the hunting and fishing settlements.
There were several attempts to introduce cash crops such as cocoa and coffee but with
little success because of transportation problems. Pasture potential does exist northeast
of the lake; however this has not been developed. There is also a potential for siltation
problems from gardens and village roads.
Petroleum production in the region has brought about many changes. The major
change is from the traditional economy of subsistence agriculture and trade, to cash
economy. This has resulted in increased agricultural and fisheries production.
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3.7.1 Traditional uses of the natural resources
Water
Tributaries and streams of the major rivers, and groundwater sources are the main
sources of drinking water for many villages. In the past, people used to drink water
from the lake, but most villages have now abandoned this practice. It is also common,
since the building of the Kutubu access road, for rainwater to be collected in drums
and buckets from gutters and iron roof sheets for drinking and washing. However,
most of these tanks are now out of order and would need to be replaced.
Even with the Kutubu access road, travelling by canoe on the lake and into Kaimari
creek still remains the major means of transport for inhabitants of the villages around
Lake Kutubu.
Although the sago palm occurs naturally in swampy areas, most sago palms are now
planted. The processing of sago requires moderate volumes of water for washing,
usually supplied by local streams or springs.
Medicinal and economically‐valuable plant species
Leary et al. (1997) and Kage (1998) documented information on plants around Lake
Kutubu area which are important to the Foe people. These reports list a total of 121
plants which are used by the Foe for a variety of purposes:
• food (40 plants);
• construction and fencing (51 plants);
• tools, implements or cordage, and leaves for wrapping or parcelling
items (56 plants);
• baskets, mats or other woven articles (13 plants);
• adornment, clothes or dyes (21 plants);
• medicines (12 plants);
• fuel for fire (59 plants);
• miscellaneous use (11 plants).
In addition to the list above, three other plants of the swamp forest are known to be
traditionally used by the Foe people:
• Campnosperma coriaceum: oil extracted from the trunk is traded and used
extensively for ceremonial purposes by the highland communities
• Aristolochia sp: food plants for birdwing butterflies that have a ready market so
local people protect the larvae.
• Euphorbia indistincta: shrub growing in abandoned gardens which produces a
profuse white sap that is used as a fish poison.
3.7.2 Petroleum and Gas Projects
Note: The information in this section should be reviewed and updated by Oil Search Limited, as it is
drawn from existing survey reports and may be dated.
The mid 1980s saw the first commercial discovery, the large Iagifu‐Hedinia fields,
which were operated by the Gulf Oil Corporation. In 1987, the Hides gas field was
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discovered by the PPL 27 joint venture participants, BP Petroleum Development (95%
and operator) and OSL (5%). In 1991, gas from Hides began to supply a power station.
In 1998, BP’s petroleum exploration and production interests in PNG (i.e. BP’s shares
of the Kutubu Project and of the Hides gas field) were acquired by OSL, which was
then holding the largest reserves of both oil and gas in PNG.
Oil, water and gas from the Kutubu central fields (Iagifu and Hedinia) and liquids
from the Agogo and Moran fields via the Agogo Production Facility are processed into
saleable crude oil, re‐injection gas and re‐injection water at the Kutubu Central
Production Facility. The crude oil is transported via a 260 km crude oil export pipeline
to the Kumul Marine Terminal located approximately 50 km offshore in the Gulf of
Papua. The gas is re‐injected into the Kutubu fields to maintain reservoir pressure, and
this re‐injection has been ongoing since the beginning of the production. However,
since the oil reserves become very low, it is economically unsustainable to re‐inject the
gas.
The Kutubu Project oil fields are one of the largest natural resources discoveries in
PNG. However, oil production began to decline in the late 1990s and a new course of
action was required if the oil and gas sector were to continue to make a substantial
contribution to the PNG economy. The commercialisation of the major gas reserves
associated with the oil at Kutubu and at other discoveries in the Highlands, and the
correlated production of LPG, is the solution to realize long‐term, sustainable
hydrocarbon resource development. Initial and ongoing site investigations and data
analyses are being or have been undertaken to further detail environmental
constraints on project design, construction and security.
Existing and planned project facilities in the study area
Facilities related to oil and gas extraction
• The Kutubu production facilities near the study area are the Kutubu Central
Production Facility and the Refinery in its vicinity, at the south‐west of the lake,
and the Agogo Production Facility and the more northern‐located Moran fields,
at the west of the lake.
• The Kutubu complex comprises approximately 50 existing wells in total,
including producing and shut‐in oil wells, gas injection wells, and a produced
water injection well, none of them being in the Lake Kutubu catchment. Some
drilling had taken place under Chevron Niugini’s operations, near the lake’s
margins at the northwest of Mount Kemenagi, at the Kutubu 1X rig, but it was
declared a dry hole. However, recent prospecting drilling is being held in the
same ranges a few kilometres most at the west, at Kutubu 2X rig. No new wells
are currently planned to be drilled in the Kutubu fields for the PNG Gas Project.
Initial drill site construction involves the selection, clearing, grading and preparation
of the wellpad and associated facilities. The drilling process uses air and foam. A
normal water‐ based drilling fluid is not used to drill the surface hole because partial or
severe loss of fluids down‐hole is commonly experienced due to the fractured, vugular
nature of the Darai Limestone. Excessively high rates of water re‐supply would be
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required from the surface to make up for these losses if a normal water‐ based fluid
was used.
Initial development activities will focus on the installation of facilities required to
process rich gas, with associated sales gas production. The initial development
activities currently comprise:
• Modifications to the existing Kutubu Central Production Facility and
construction of a Kutubu Central Gas Conditioning Plant (scheduled to occur
from mid‐2008 to end 2009).
• Construction of a liquids pipeline and a rich gas pipeline between Hides and
the Kutubu Central Gas Conditioning Plant, passing through Moran fields and
near the north‐western edge of Lake Kutubu (scheduled to occur from late 2007
to March 2009).
• The new pipelines will all generally follow the existing road between Homa and
Moro. RoWs accommodate the pipeline (usually within a trench) and any
associated trench spoil. They usually incorporate or are paralleled by an access
way to provide site access during construction and operations. Where necessary
fabric silt fences will be constructed in downstream flow paths and channels to
intercept generated sediment.
Other facilities related to the project
• The access way from Kopi to the Hides Production Facility that will become a
public road is PNG Rural Medium – Rural Class 2, designed as a two‐lane
unsealed road but one lane on bridges. Road drainage structures (culverts) will
be designed to accommodate design flows, with allowance for the possibility of
bed load and debris restricting their flow. Scouring will be controlled at
anticipated erosion‐prone culvert outlets using energy dissipaters. Buffer strips
of undisturbed land or vegetation will be retained between roads and streams.
• This road section between Homa and Moro will need minor upgrading of its
57.7 km long existing road and 168 culverts and the construction of 2 new
culverts. In the Lake Kutubu catchment, the Tubage 18 m truss bridge will be
modified, while the Tugibu 24 m truss bridge and the Kaimari 30 m truss bridge
will be rebuilt.
• Suitable rock and borrow material will be required to upgrade or construct the
access ways. This material will generally be available from existing quarries
used for oil pipeline construction, but some potential new quarry sites have
been identified.
• Presently, two camps ensure the accommodation, offices facilities and services
for the workers related to the project near the study area: Moro camp and Ridge
camp. New moveable line camps will be established at suitable locations along
the RoWs. These camps will be sited to limit driving time to the workface.
Forest loss and edge effects will be limited to the extent possible when clearing
land for these camps. In the lake Kutubu catchment, the line camp Moro 2 camp
is expected to be located at the northeast of the existing Moro Airfield Camp,
near the northern top end of the lake.
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Water and waste management for the project
Water use and water management for the project
• Water is required for potable and domestic water at the construction camps and
sites, for construction activities (such as making concrete), and for hydrotesting.
This water is sourced, in the main, from nearby watercourses. If the capacity of
the proposed water source to continue to provide adequate flows to support
village water use requirements and to sustain aquatic life would be threatened,
then an alternative water source will be sought. Sewage and grey water will be
directed to the camps’ sewage treatment plant. Existing water supply and
treatment facilities will be used during project operations, although some may
be upgraded to accommodate the additional demand.
• Water is extracted from the Kaimari Creek since 1998, and is regulated by the
Government. It is used as process water for the drilling activities.
Drilling fluid is used to bring the drill cuttings to the surface. Therefore, drilling
operations produce liquid waste. However, there will be no wastewater discharge
from the wellpads other than rainwater runoff once the drilling rigs have been
demobilized. Discharges from typical drilling operations can be categorized as
follows:
• Drainage water from the rig, either rainwater or hose‐down water used for
cleaning equipment. A drainage ditch with an oil trap will be constructed
around the well cellar to collect this water, and any overflow will be discharged
to the surface water system in accordance with government requirements or
permits.
• Water, drilling or completion fluids and residual drilling fluid adhering to wet
drill cuttings. Occasional low‐volume discharges can occur at the solids control
processing points of the circulating drilling fluid system. Higher‐volume
discharges can occur either at the end of a well section (if the drilling fluid
system needs replacement) or at the end of the well before a rig move (where
fluid recycling is not practical).
The crude oil formation of the region contains both water and petroleum gas, the latter
component is responsible for the high pressure in the formation. The crude oil flow is
then piped to the central processing facility where a 3‐phase separation takes place.
Heavier material and oil is separated from the gas and water component. The water is
further processed and filtered before injecting it back into the formation through
delegated water re‐injection wells for reservoir pressure maintenance.
Waste Management
There are various categories of waste generated on site by the different activities of the
projects itself and by the related human activities and settlements. These include the
following, but not limited to: Fuel spill during transfer, handling and storage; Oily and
Grease Waste; Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods; Sewer Waste; Drilling By‐
Products; Desalination by‐product (brine); Ballast Water; Waste Landfill Procedure;
Solid Waste; Medical Waste; Burn Pits; Off‐Shore Waste.
There is responsible management of waste generated from various sources so that
these do not adversely affect the natural environment. Furthermore, there is a
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continuous process of improvement whereby new processes and technology is
adopted to manage the wastes generated from OSL and contractor operations.
The waste treatment and disposal site (waste management areas) that services the
existing oil operations near the Lake Kutubu catchment is located at Kutubu. There are
very limited opportunities for waste recycling and reuse in the project area, and it is
logistically difficult to safely transfer wastes over long distances because of the
restricted present‐day road network in Papua New Guinea. Currently, most wastes
produced by the oil operations, after neutralisation, volume reduction by incineration
or other means, are disposed of using company‐managed, controlled landfills located
close to the oil processing facilities. The establishment of landfills is approved by the
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
• Wastes generated at the production facilities are segregated. Liquid wastes
include waste oil and grease, sewer treatment plant liquor, storm water and
ballast. Sewer liquor includes wastewater from the kitchens and mess facilities.
The oil and grease from the kitchen is separated in oil sumps and removed for
incineration. Oil and grease waste from the workshops and other production
facilities are separated using oil sumps and separators and stored in used
oil/grease tanks for removal.
Solids wastes are segregated into three general groups. The first group includes
material derived from wood such as paper and cardboard, smaller plastic items such
as bags and other disposable items (e.g. plastic cups and spoon). The second group
constitutes solid waste material such as electrical cable cuttings, wood and smaller
pieces of metal from construction sites and workshops. The third group includes items
such as old vehicle tires, scraps metal and used drums (both plastic and metal).
Several pits are used as storage for sewer sludge and waste oil. The pit at Iagifu‐5 well
site accommodates the kitchen oil/fat material, mixed with the sewer sludge from the
STP at Moro and Ridge facilities. Landfills are used for solid wastes at the various
project sites. Solid waste material is spread over the surface, regularly compacted and
covered with new soil layer. All landfills are located in secure areas within the
boundaries of the facilities.
Water quality monitoring
For discharges to natural waters and for water abstraction for supply purposes, WUP
are required. WUP cover extraction from natural sources, damming of water, and
various uses within the context of crude oil production and its related activities.
Permits also cover the discharge of used water into the receiving environment. In 2000,
the PNG prescribed water quality guidelines were agreed in the Environment (Water
Quality Guidelines) Regulation 2000, and defined a range of allowed disturbances to
different water parameters as a consequence of discharge or extraction of water (Refer
to Appendix 1). However, this Regulation provides that an environment permit may
authorize a discharge or use that reduces water quality below these guidelines.
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Table 3.3: WUP for the Kutubu Petroleum and Gas Project and the discharge limits
WUP No. Discharge Parameters and Permit Limits
pH Oil &
Grease TSS BOD
Faecal
coliforms Site/Location
mg/L mg/L mg/L FC/100 mL Moro Sewer Treatment
Plant 29/639 6‐9 ≤20 ≤200 ≤20 ≤200
Kutubu CPF Pond 29/643 6‐9 ≤20 ≤200 ≤20 ns
Refinery Oil Water Sewer 29/642 6‐9 ≤20 ≤200 ≤20 ≤200
Refinery Storm Water 29/642 6‐9 ≤20 ≤200 ≤20 ≤200
OSL monitors the impact of its operations on the receiving waters. The potential
impact of an oil spill, impact during operations of drill pads and roads, and through
the discharge of wastewater into the creeks and rivers are monitored through a range
of testing programs. The impact of OSL’s operation on the surface waters and the
discharge quality of wastewaters into the receiving environment is monitored on a
regular basis. The extraction and provision of safe drinking water to facilities and
camps and discharge of used water is also a major component of the water and
wastewater monitoring program is maintained.
As required under the Environmental Plans for the Kutubu and Gobe projects surface
water samples have been collected and analysed for a range of parameters on an
annual basis. The results from these studies revealed that there is no measured impact
of the project’s operation on the surface waters of the receiving environment. Prior to
the establishment of any drilling program, construction or road projects, it is a
requirement for HSE environmental specialist to undertake baseline monitoring. The
sampling program will continue during the operation and after closure or
commissioning of the construction.
All effluent discharges on OSL projects are monitored every month to ensure
compliance with DEC requirements. Wastewater derived from domestic use is treated
with sewer in the sewerage treatment plants. Sewer waste generated from the various
facilities are treated in sewage treatment plants (STP) and de‐watered. The water
component is treated with chlorine for faecal coliforms and other pathogen. The
treatment also ensures that the biological oxygen demand and other discharge
conditions are met prior to discharge. Discharged water quality monitoring is done on
a monthly to ensure compliance with conditions in the WUP. The sludge is mixed with
refuse from the camp kitchens and transported by trucks in vacuum containers to
specific pits. Future waste generated through this process and current pit contents will
be removed and incinerated. The incinerator by‐products will be buried in approved
landfills.
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The water quality monitoring program is divided into four components:
• Monitoring of the various discharges on a monthly basis for compliance with
Permits to Discharge Water or Wastewater issued by the Department of
Environment & Conservation.
• Monitoring of surface waters in the vicinity of various production facilities to
document the impact, if any, of production operations on those waters.
• Monitoring of Lake Kutubu to continue the water quality monitoring done over
the years since 1990.
• Monitoring of the Marine Terminal site to document the impacts, if any, of
ballast water discharge.
The initial monitoring program for the Lake Kutubu water quality aimed to follow the
recovery of temporarily affected tributaries after the completion of the Kutubu access
road construction, to get an integrated view of the overall impact of the project, and to
learn more about the periodic phenomenon of the lake turn‐over. For this, the water
column and the bed sediment were analysed, while the tributaries were
photographically recorded. The following parameters were monitored:
• On a depth profile: pH, DO, conductivity, TSS, and H2S.
• Secchi disk, Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous, TRP, ammonia‐N, nitrite‐N,
nitrate‐N, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Chloride, HCO3/CO3 ,
Sulphate, SiO2 , Total Iron, Dissolved Iron, Zinc, Barium, Manganese, Copper,
Nickel, Chromium, Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Petroleum
Hydrocarbons.
Modifications have been made to the surface water quality sampling programs for
Lake Kutubu surface waters. The DEC has approved the changes in a letter dated 26
October 1998 from the Secretary of the Department to the Managing Director of
Chevron Niugini Ltd. These changes include the reduction of the number of samples,
sites and parameters from the initial program outlined in the 1990 Environmental
Management and Monitoring Program and the 1990 Environmental Plan. The changes
also included the shift from an annual program to one conducted every three years.
The water samples are taken at the top of the water column at 40‐50 cm depth by
hand.
Three sites are monitored in a three‐yearly period in Lake Kutu bu, unless there was a
requirement or incident to warrant special investigation. Six parameters are now
analysed for water samples from this site. pH, TSS, NO3 , TRP, MBAS, TPH.
Partnerships
A relationship between WWF and the Oil and Gas Joint Venture Partners (JVP) in the
Kikori River catchment was established in 1994. From 1994 to 2003 WWF worked with
Chevron Niugini until the oil and gas operations were taken over by OSL and
partners. The joint venture partners currently include (OSL, Esso Highlands, Cue PNG
Limited, Petroleum Resources Kutubu, Petroleum Resources Moran, Petroleum
Resources Gobe, AGL, Santos, Barracuda, Merlin Petroleum and Merlin Pacific) The
ongoing relationship with OSL will be pivotal in developing the ICM plan in the
Kikori Basin. How a future partnership works together to leverage the various existing
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policy and planning instruments will also prove crucial to the success of ICM
planning.
A risk review into the WWF and JVP commissioned by WWF and completed in
October 2006 (ERM Risk Assessment report 2006), identified the following risks arising
from the current lack of land use planning in the Kikori basin:
• Increased pressure on housing space including the arising of shanty towns
• Industry offering land owners cash incentives for large scale agricultural
development (oil palm, logging)
• Uncontrolled land clearing for abovementioned cash crops
• Accompanying socio‐economic pressures on local indigenous populations:
inflation, increased disease, a decrease in availability of health and education
services, increased risk of violence and tribal warfare.
3.7.3 Economic Development
Industrial development to date in the Kikori basin area has involved oil and gas
exploration and production, as well as large‐scale commercial logging which began in
the lower Kikori in 1996. The major oil and gas operations are the Hides Gas to
Electricity Project and the Kutubu, Gobe, and Moran petroleum development projects.
The historic pattern of sparse population has not changed since oil and gas production
began in the early 1990s, with localized exceptions around the main petroleum
production facilities at Kutubu and Hides.
Logging occurs in three forest management areas (FMA), with an estimated area
logged as of mid‐2006 of about 2300 ha.
Local business development in the Kikori basin area is mainly through landowner
companies. Trade stores are the most common village‐ based economic venture, but
they are hampered by lack of reinvestment and supply difficulties. Other common
small‐scale business ventures in the area include logging and sawmills; the farming of
cash crops such as chillies, coffee, and vanilla; and the rearing of poultry. Business
development is constrained by factors such as dependence on subsistence agriculture,
inadequate literacy and numeracy skills, and redirection of profits to bride wealth and
clan networks. Compared with other rural areas in PNG, the project area has relatively
high employment levels and diversified sources of income. In a household survey
conducted in 1996, the percentage of respondents who reported receiving income from
defined sources were as follows: (i) royalty payments, 33% (ii) cash crops, 35% (iii)
employment, 11% (iv) sale of livestock, 23% and (v) business activities, 11%.
The project area has a very low potential for large‐scale commercial agriculture.
However, there is potential for small‐scale, high‐value crops, such as vanilla and chilli.
The CDI Foundation has initiated several projects to assist local villagers with small‐
scale farming.
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Eco‐tourism
The Tubo Lodge was built in December 1996 by Tugiri and Yo’obo villages. It seems to
register reasonable success, receiving tourists, scientists and workshops by local
organisations. It offers “outdoor activities: wash and pond sago, spearfish, paddle a
dugout canoe, exploring the water, trekking through the rain forest”, and an extraordinary and quiet environment.
Other eco‐businesses
Some orchid farming (Tugiri) or butterfly farming (Tugiri, Obeaga sawmill)
enterprises have been developed, primarily aimed at attracting tourists and to
preserve nature. The crafts that are made by the Kutubu people are exchanged within
the villages or sometimes sold but only in the local market, not in the Moro market.
3.7.4 Protected areas within the Lake Kutubu catchment
Lake Kutubu
Wildlife
Management
Area
(WMA)
A WMA can only be set up by landowners on customary land, which includes lakes
and coastal areas. All the landowners involved in setting up a WMA must agree about
the boundaries and objectives of the WMA, in order to prevent conflicts and
misunderstandings in future.
A WMA can help landowners manage their wildlife and environment, use it in a
sustainable way, and protect it from outsiders. It legally recognizes their decisions as
landowners to use and manage their resources on their land, and it gives them the
legal right to enforce their decisions. By managing their resources wisely, the local
landowners ensure that future generations can sustainably utilize these resources. WMAs are set under The Fauna (Protection and Control) Act of 1966 , and declared by the
DEC. The Act also makes provision for the Minister to declare certain species of
wildlife protected if they are believed to be endangered.
The Lake Kutubu WMA was gazetted on 25 June 1992, and comprises an area of
24,057ha in the Nipa Kutubu district, where land is under Customary Tenure.
The purpose of the Lake Kutubu WMA is “to conserve the outstanding and
internationally significant scenic, geophysical and biodiversity values of the Lake
Kutubu WMA, and safeguard the interests and maintain the cultural integrity of its
traditional owners”.
Local communities depend upon the WMA resources for their subsistence livelihood.
It contains plant and animal species of high social, cultural, or economic importance;
several sites in the WMA have religious, spiritual and burial sites and unusual features
of aesthetic significance. It also provides opportunities for community development
through sustainable resource use and In addition, the WMA has a high recreational
value and contributes significant ecosystem services and benefits to communities. The
area has now become an area with high potential for eco‐tourism with the existence of
the Tubo Lodge.
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At the outset, the community identified a set of rules for the Lake Kutubu WMA, as
follows:
• Control of land clearing.
• Appropriate compensation for clearing of land by the Kutubu Oil Project and others.
• The potential impacts of the Kutubu access road.
• Achievement of balanced development.
• Improvement of the management of traditional resources such as canoe trees,
orchids and black palm.
The rules of the Lake Kutubu WMA were gazetted in February 2002.
The Lake Kutubu WMA is governed by the Lake Kutubu WMA Committee
comprising representatives from the local communities.
Lake Kutubu Ramsar Site
Lake Kutubu was designated by the Government of PNG as a ‘Wetland of
International Importance’ under the (Ramsar) Convention on Wetlands on 22
September 1998. Such sites are commonly termed ‘Ramsar Sites’. The boundaries of
the area registered as a Ramsar site corresponds to the Lake Kutubu WMA boundary.
Under the Convention, wetland sites have to fulfil at least one of the 9 criteria to
qualify for designation. Lake Kutubu fulfils 5 of the 9 criteria, as follows:
Criteria 1:
A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains
a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland
type found within the appropriate bio-geographic region. Unlike most inland
waters of PNG, the food chain of this exceptional clear‐water lake is based on
autochthonous production rather than on river borne detritus of largely terrestrial
origin. The exceptional water clarity allows for a high level of primary production.
Criteria 2: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological
communities. Lake Kutubu, with 11 known endemic species of fish, has been
recognized as the most unique lacustrine habitat for fishes in the New Guinea‐Australia region. Lake Kutubu is a major part of the Kikori drainage. That drainage
contains more endemic fish species than any other region of comparable size in all of
New Guinea. This high level of fish endemism is largely due to the presence of Lake
Kutubu and its unique ecosystem. The surrounding primary rainforest also contains a
large variety of endemic and rare terrestrial fauna.
Criteria 3: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the
biological diversity of a particular bio-geographic region. The Lake Kutubu Ramsar
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Site harbours a significant proportion of the genetic and ecological diversity of the
Kikori Basin.
Criteria 7: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports
a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of
wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological
diversity. 54% of Lake Kutubu’s fishes are endemic, which make the site of
tremendous global importance for the conservation of biological diversity.
Criteria 8: A wetland should be considered internationally important if it is an
important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration
path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend. Lake
Kutubu provides the sole spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for more than 11
species of endemic fish. The highly productive Characeae plant beds that dominate much of the lake margins (and the two “reefs” in the centre of the lake) provide the
major feeding, spawning and nursery grounds for the majority of the endemic species.
Ramsar Site designation obligates the member country to manage the site according to
the Convention’s principle of the wise use of wetlands, which is defined as:
“Wise use of wetlands is the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved
through the implementation of ecosystem approaches2 , within the context of
sustainable development3.”
The term ‘ecological character’ is defined as:
“Ecological character is the combination of the ecosystem components, processes and
benefits4/services that characterise the wetland at a given point in time.”
The phrase “at a given point in time” refers to a previous decision taken by member
countries (Resolution VI.1 paragraph 2.1), which states that “It is essential that the
ecological character of a site be described by the Contracting Party concerned at the
time of designation for the Ramsar List , by completion of the Information Sheet on
Ramsar Wetlands (as adopted by Recommendation IV. 7).”
Designation of a wetland for the Ramsar List is only the starting point, since
Contracting Parties accept an undertaking to conserve listed sites. The Conference of
the Parties has placed increasing emphasis upon defining and maintaining the
2 Including inter alia the Convention on Biological Diversity’s “Ecosystem Approach” (CBD COP5
Decision V/6) and that applied by HELCOM and OSPAR (Declaration of the First Joint Ministerial
Meeting of the Helsinki and OSPAR Commissions, Bremen 25-26 June 2003).3 The phrase “in the context of sustainable development” is intended to recognize that whilst some
wetland development is inevitable and that many developments have important benefits to society,developments can be facilitated in sustainable ways by approaches elaborated under the Convention, and
it is not appropriate to imply that ‘development’ is an objective for every wetland.4 Within this context, ecosystem benefits are defined in accordance with the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment definition of ecosystem services as “the benefits that people receive from ecosystems”.
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ecological character of Ramsar sites as a key to their conservation. This does not
preclude human use but is intended to avoid fundamental adverse changes to wetland
functions, values or attributes. The aim is to maintain at least the ecological character
recorded at the time of designation. In many cases, additional measures will be
required to restore functions, values or attributes lost prior to designation.
3.8. The Legal Framework within which the CMP will operate
The table below provides an indication of the main Acts in PNG related to
environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. This information is derived
from the Country Profile on Environment: Papua New Guinea (JICA, 1992) and the
information contained therein could be out‐of‐date.
Laws Description Authority
Conservation Areas
Act 1978
This provides for setting up the National
Conservation Council for the purpose of recognizing
protected areas and giving management guidance as
well as establishing the Management Committee for
protected areas, the latter of which is responsible for
developing and implementing management plans.
It stipulates the establishment of a system for
terrestrial and marine conservation areas and the
protection of lands owned by the government
and individuals.
It provides for the survey of customary land
possession, negotiation and acquisition.
DEC
Fauna (Protection and Control) Act
(Chapter 154)
This regulates the capture, possession and sale/purchase of wild animals regardless of the areas
designated by the Minister of Environment and
Conservation and land title.
It designates fauna protection areas called
Wildlife Management Areas, Nature Preserves
and protected areas.
In the designated areas, customary landowners
are prohibited from excessive harvesting of
biological resources, biological diversity is
protected, the rights to land and resources are
formerly approved, opportunities to gain profits
are made available, cultural values are protected,
and opportunities for scientific study and
education are provided.
DEC
PNG Environment
Act 2000
This Act embraces the Environmental Planning
Act/1978, Environmental Contaminant Act/1978 and
the National Park Act/1984.
DEC
PNG Oil and Gas
Act 1998
This Act embraces the Petroleum Act/1996. Department of
Petroleum and
Energy
National Parks Act 1992
This stipulates the protection of the fauna and flora, scenic beauty, historic remains, and the cultural,
DEC
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educational and scientific values of nature.
It stipulates land leasing and trust management
for possessing government‐controlled land and
environmental conservation.
It designates protected areas, including national
parks and reserves. It is a basic law concerning the management of
national parks along with the Conservation
Areas Act.
3.8.1 Roles and responsibilities of key organizations working on environment and
development‐related aspects in the Lake Kutubu Catchment
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is responsible for
environmental assessments, monitoring and enforcement, while the Department of
Petroleum and Energy (DPE) is responsible for monitoring petroleum operations and
environmental safeguards. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the DEC are responsible for the negotiation of international treaties, including biodiversity‐
related treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the (Ramsar)
Convention on Wetlands. The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is responsible for
the management and conservation of fish stocks and stock assessment. The NFA
cooperates with the DEC to enforce the relevant environmental legislations such as the
Dumping of Wastes at Sea Act.
The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) and the Department of Agriculture
and Livestock (DAL) are responsible for forest management and commercial /
subsistence agriculture, respectively. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for formulating environmental legislation, and the arrest, prosecution and detention of
offenders.
Other relevant government departments include Department of Works and Supply
(responsible for infrastructure development, such as roads and bridges); Tourism
Promotion Authority (responsible for promotion of tourism activities); Department of
Health (responsible for health‐related issues); Department of Commerce (responsible
for business activities); and the Department of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Tertiary Educational Institutions offer environmental science courses; conduct environmental assessment and monitoring and research. Other public institutions
such as the National Museum as well as NGOs such as the World Wide Fund for
Nature play roles in environmental management and conduct environmental
awareness campaigns.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)
The DEC was established in 1974 to implement and fulfil the Fourth National Goal
and Directive Principles. The Fourth National Goal and Directive Principle has
provided the foundation upon which the policies, legislations and regulations have
been formulated for the operations of the DEC. The DEC is generally responsible to
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ensure that natural and physical resources are managed to sustain environmental
quality and human well‐ being.
Provincial Government and Local Level Governments (LLGs)
Provincial Governments and LLGs have an important role in PNG. Some of them have
launched their own plans for environmental management. For instance, the New
Ireland Province set up the Council for Environment, Tourism and Culture for the
purpose of environmental management. LLGs are major participants in the
Development Forum held in order to promote sound mine development. Since the
basic law concerning provinces and local governments was enacted in 1995, the role of
LLGs has become increasingly important in environmental management. Many
environmental functions have been decentralized to LLGs.
Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs)
The level of NGO involvement in environmental policy making in PNG has been
minimal. However, NGOs have been very effective in enhancing environmental
awareness and education. They have also been successful in mobilizing and
galvanizing public support for many environmental causes.
The Community Development Initiative (CDI) Foundation is the main NGO working
to address the development aspirations and social needs of rural communities across
Southern Highlands and Gulf provinces under rolling 3‐year agreements with existing
petroleum operations. Various faith‐ based organizations are active at the community
level in the area to address social, health, education, and sustainable agriculture
challenges. National and international environmental and social NGOs, the most
prominent of which is the WWF, have been active in undertaking various studies in
the area since 1995.
WWF is currently the only NGO in the South Pacific region addressing freshwater
conservation at the catchment level. WWF has been working in PNG since 1995,
focusing its conservation efforts on linking community action, science and effective
policy to ensure the protection and sustainable use of forests, freshwater and marine
resources across the island of New Guinea. In 1993, with the approval of the PNG
National Executive Council, WWF initiated the Kikori Integrated Conservation and
Development Project (KICDP) which promotes well‐managed forestry and community
development activities.
Private‐sector organizations
Oil Search Limited (OSL)
OSL is an oil and gas exploration and development company that has been operating
in PNG since 1992. It is incorporated in PNG and is the country’s largest oil and gas
producer: it operates all of PNGʹs producing oil and gas fields. As operator of these
fields, in 2007 OSL was responsible for generating 16% of PNG’s Gross Domestic
Product and 22% of its export revenue.
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The Kutubu Oil Project is PNGʹs first commercial oilfield development. Oil was first
discovered at Kutubu in the Iagifu sandstone structure in 1986 and commercial
production commenced in June 1992.
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4. INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND ACTIONS
ISSUE 4.1 Lack of a functioning institutional framework at the local level to
support implementation of the CMP
As part of the process of gazetting the Lake Kutubu WMA in 1992, the Lake Kutubu WMA Management Committee was set‐up. However, this committee has not been
functional since 2002.
The people from the local communities have failed to support the objectives of the
WMA in conserving the unique freshwater ecosystem and the unique species of fauna
and flora. Even though the local communities showed interest and commitment in the
first few years after the establishment of the WMA, presently, the WMA laws are
violated through illegal activities both by immigrants, outsiders and indigenous
people. The Lake Kutubu WMA is particularly vulnerable to illegal activities from
within and outside of the WMA because there is no power or authority to enforce the
laws to monitor, protect and safeguard the WMA and there is no clear plan to
effectively monitor illegal activities in and around the WMA. The Lake Kutubu WMA
was set up by landowners on customary land, with the purpose “to conserve the
outstanding and internationally significant scenic, geophysical and biodiversity values
of the Lake Kutubu WMA, and safeguard the interests and maintain the cultural
integrity of its traditional owners”. The responsibility for its proper management
therefore rests, in the first instance, on the local communities in the area.
There is an urgent need to address this situation because observations and reports
indicate an increase in the human induced activities because of the simultaneous
growth of the population and demand for resource use. Unless the partners involved in the initial stages of the setting up of the WMA reach an agreement to revive the
Lake Kutubu WMA Management Committee, the ecological integrity and functioning
of the WMA is likely to deteriorate over time.
Prior to the preparation of this CMP, a two day workshop was held at Tubo Lodge,
Lake Kutubu in March 2007. Approximately thirty people from around the Lake
Kutubu catchment attended the workshop. The Lake Kutubu Catchment Management
Forum (LKCMF) was established and six people were nominated onto the forum: two
representatives from the upper catchment, two from the lower and four from villages
around the lake. It was envisaged at that time that the forum will meet every three
months (once a quarter) and include senior representatives from the Department of Environment and Conservation, LLG, OSL and NGOs such as WWF and the CDI
Foundation. However, the forum was deemed incomplete as not all the local
stakeholders are represented, and was not in full operation yet at the time of the
mission in August 2007.
The stakeholder workshop conducted in August 2007 defined a catchment
management forum structure, as well as a structure for the Steering Committee. This
should be used as the basis for further discussions among all relevant stakeholders
leading to the (re)establishment of the LKCMF and a Steering Committee to oversee
the implementation of this CMP. Discussions should focus on developing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the LKCMF and the Steering Committee, as well as on the
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institutional arrangements, manpower and financial resources that need to be in place
to support the LKCMF and Steering Committee in their work.
Management Objective 4.1: Empower the Lake Kutubu Catchment Management
Forum and the Steering Committee to enable them to function effectively and
efficiently as a platform for all stakeholders to be involved in the implementation
of the CMP
No. Action Lead5 Others Timescale*
1 Establish the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Forum, and Steering
Committee
WWF DEC
OSL
LLG
SHPG
Local
communities
Short
2 Identify possible sources of funding to
support the work of the Forum.
WWF DEC
OSL
Short
3 Ensure that the necessary legal framework
and policy is in place to support work of
the LKCMF
DEC LLG
SHPG
WWF
Medium
4 Establish a Kikori River Catchment
Management Forum, based on the
experience and the lessons learnt from the
Lake Kutubu Catchment Management
Forum and to support the implementation
of the Total Catchment Environment
Management Policy (TCEMP) once it is
operational
WWF DEC Long
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
ISSUE 4.2 Lack of a functioning institutional and regulatory framework at
the local and national level to support catchment management planning
Lake Kutubu is situated within a highly contested social, political and economic
landscape. The increase in oil and gas development activity has resulted in a rise in
5 For all tables in Sections 4 to 8, ‘WWF’ refers to World Wide Fund for Nature; DEC = Department of
Environment and Conservation; OSL = Oil Search Limited; LLG = Local Level Government; SHPG =Southern Highlands Provincial Government; CDI = Community Development Initiative Foundation, JVP
= Joint Venture Partners.
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decision making tension both amongst clan groups and individuals and between
landowners, government and external agencies. Oil and gas activity has also brought a
corresponding rise in the number of local people participating in the cash economy
and an influx of settlers seeking employment and the peripheral benefits from these
operations.
There is general concern that the expansion of oil and gas activities and accompanying
opening up of new areas through greater road access will lead to a further influx of
settlers from other areas of PNG. The increased road access could also lead to the
unregulated development of other small‐scale activities such as extraction of timber
for local construction, harvesting (including hunting) of natural forest products, and
clearing of forest land for homesteads and gardens.
Consequently, the increasing level of development in the Lake Kutubu catchment is an
issue of national significance to PNG. Three levels of planning and policy context were
identified during the consultations with stakeholders:
1. Local level: contested customary land tenure
2. National level: arbitrary and unreliable
3. International: coherent but lacks the legislative power to compel
If the approach enshrined in this CMP is to succeed, policy and planning must have a
coordinated and strategic approach across the three realms ‐ international, national
and local – and must be in line with the policy and planning context within PNG.
Management Objective 4.2: Ensure that National, Provincial and Local Level
Government policy and planning processes take into account the provisions of the
CMP.
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Undertake a review of the national and
provincial‐level legal and regulatory
provisions which apply to the Lake
Kutubu catchment area to ensure that they
are promoting wetland conservation and
wise use, and make recommendations for changes, if necessary.
WWF LLG
SHPG
DEC
Short
2 Based on the findings of the review above,
work closely with the DEC and other
relevant stakeholders to address gaps in
the existing legal and regulatory
frameworks.
WWF LLG
SHPG
DEC
Short
3. Liaise with JVP and PNG Government to
ensure road networks in the project area
remain private with the signing of a
Memorandum of Agreement.
WWF JVP
DEC
Local
Short
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Communities
4 Based on the lessons learnt from the
implementation of the CMP, further
develop the ‘Total Catchment Environment
Management Policy’
DEC WWF Medium
5 Advocate for the formal adoption of the
TCEM Policy, and for sufficient resources
to be made available to support its
application across PNG
DEC LLG
SHPG
WWF
Long
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
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5. AWARENESS AND CAPACITY ISSUES AND ACTIONS
ISSUE 5.1 Lack of awareness about the benefits of catchment management
planning among key stakeholders at the local level, and policy and decision‐
makers at
the
local,
provincial
and
national
levels
Several of the baseline reports compiled prior to the preparation of this CMP alluded
to the lack of awareness among stakeholders in the Lake Kutubu catchment area about
the catchment management planning approach, process and benefits. Several authors
and reviewers noted that one challenge to the effective implementation of the CMP is
the fact that most stakeholders did not possess the skills necessary to be able to
participate actively in the CMP implementation process.
Management Objective 5.1: Increase awareness and understanding about the
benefits of
catchment
management
planning
at
the
local,
provincial
and
national
levels
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Develop and disseminate information
about the benefits of catchment
management planning to the local
communities
WWF LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Short
2 Develop policy briefs to inform policy and
decision‐makers about the benefits of
catchment management planning
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
Short
3 Document the lessons learnt from the
implementation of the CMP, and make this
widely available to policy and decision‐
makers
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
Medium
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
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ISSUE 5.2 Lack of technical and financial capacity among key stakeholders to
implement the CMP
Management Objective 5.2: Increase the capacity of key stakeholders to enable them
to
be
active
participants
in
the
implementation
of
the
CMP
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Undertake an assessment to determine the
needs of the members of the Lake Kutubu
Catchment Management Forum and the
Steering Committee to enable them to
implement the CMP, and develop a
strategy for addressing these needs
WWF LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Short
2 Based on the strategy, develop and conduct
training programs for the members of the
Lake Kutubu Catchment Management
Forum and the Steering Committee
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Short
3 Expand the training program to include
key stakeholders from the larger Kikori
River catchment
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Medium
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
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6. WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY ISSUES, AND ACTIONS
ISSUE 6.1 Changes in the quality and quantity of water in the Lake Kutubu
catchment
Local communities report an increase in eye and skin problems arising from their use of the water in some parts of the lake. As a consequence, most villagers no longer use
the water from the lake and get their water for drinking and cooking from the streams
instead. However, the villages of Wasemi, Yo’obo and K Point continue to use the
water from the lake because they have no access to streams.
Locals also report observed changes in the quantity and timing of rainfall in recent
years which has affected their farming practices and production, and also resulted in
the drying out of some parts of the swamp forest.
Pollution of water sources from inorganic waste such as metals, plastics and batteries
is reported to be on the rise. Clearing of land for gardening, including on steep slopes on the lake shore, has increased soil runoff into the lake. Some areas are cleared by
burning and this has increased the risk of the spread of fire.
Management Objective 6.1: Improve the management of water resources in the Lake
Kutubu Catchment
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Undertake a detailed hydrological study
(including the subterranean areas) of the
Lake Kutubu catchment; this study should also assess the hydrological role of
the karst system within the catchment
WWF LLG
OSL
Short
2 Collate all available information on water
quality in the catchment area and use this
to develop and implement a regular
water quality monitoring programme.
WWF DEC Short
3 Undertake a review of the available
information on weather conditions in the
catchment area, and if no systematic
system exists to collect such information, set up weather monitoring stations.
WWF DEC Short
4 Develop and implement a waste
management program for the villages in
the lake area, which includes awareness‐
raising activities to inform local
communities about the negative impacts
of pollution on the ecosystem.
WWF
Local
Communities
LLG
CDI
OSL
Short
5 Consider placing sediment traps or other
devices to control sediment runoff from
the access road which crosses the creeks that drain into Lake Kutubu.
OSL Short
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6 Consider the possibility of extending the
Ramsar site boundary to encompass the
entire catchment so it can be managed as
one hydrological entity.
DEC OSL
WWF
Medium
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This
definition
for
the
timescale
applies
throughout
the
document.
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7. FISHERIES ISSUES AND ACTIONS
ISSUE 7.1 Failure of the sustainable fish catch monitoring program
An assessment conducted in between May and July 2006 showed that the villagers had
stopped implementing the options previously adopted under the sustainable fishing program. The reasons cited for this included:
• No observed increase in the size of fish during the closed season (from Inu and
Wasemi villages). It was subsequently established that they had closed the
fishing areas for only for a few months while the program had recommended a
closure period of one year.
• Lack of external support (from Yo’obo and K Point villages).
• People in the villages were not responsible and/or objected to the restrictions
imposed on them (Obeaga and K Point villages).
However, the assessment perceived a renewed sense among some villagers (namely those from the Obeaga, K Point and Inu villages) to reinstate the program because of
increasing concerns about the future of the fisheries.
Management Objective 7.1: Promote catchment‐wide application of the sustainable
fish catch strategies
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Conduct awareness programs
about the long‐term benefits of
sustainable fish catch strategies.
WWF National Fisheries
Authority (NFA)
CDI
Local communities
Short
2 Encourage and provide support
to the local fishing communities
to encourage them to adopt the
sustainable fish catch strategies
LLG
SHPG
NFA
CDI
WWF
Local communities
Short
3 Monitor the progress of
implementation of the sustainable fish catch strategies.
WWF
NFA
Local communities Medium
4 Based on the results of the
monitoring program, develop a
fisheries management plan for
the Lake Kutubu catchment.
WWF
NFA
LLG
CDI
Local communities
Long
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
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ISSUE 7.2 Declining fish biodiversity
Management Objective 7.2: Protect and enhance existing fish populations.
No.
Action
Lead
Others
Timescale*
1 Undertake research on the status of
the fish populations in the Lake
Kutubu catchment, and provide
management recommendations.
WWF NFA
Local
communities
Short
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This
definition
for
the
timescale
applies
throughout
the
document.
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8. BIODIVERSITY ISSUES AND ACTIONS
ISSUE 8.1: Threats to the forest habitats in the Lake Kutubu Catchment
Four major threats have been identified: • The proposed Kutubu‐Poroma logging concession, located between the northern
shores of the lake, Nipa and Poroma.
This concession should not be allowed to be carried out as the majority of its area
is karst terrain or swamps. Under PNG law, logging is prohibited in such areas.
• Higher pressure on resources from an increasing population, and changes in the
relationship between people and forest as a result of changes in the social
structure.
There has been an increase in the local population as a result of opportunities
created by the oil and gas operations. Many of these immigrants have settled on
the edge of the swamp forest near Kaimari Bridge. Activities such as wood harvesting or garden establishment could reduce the forest canopy. This could
change the water content of the soil, resulting in increased fire risk, and eventually
affecting the hydrological regime of the swamp forest and the wildlife populations
in the area.
• Poor land‐use, such as clearing land for gardens by making fires.
The swamp forest, in particular, is threatened by peat‐ based fires during drought
seasons or accidental fire from adjacent gardens. Fires in peat swamp forests are of
major concern as they can burn for long periods of time. Fire causes irreversible
damage to the ecosystem and poses a threat to the biological diversity in the Lake
Kutubu area.
Management Objective 8.1: Enhance the management and protection of the forest
habitats in the Lake Kutubu catchment
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Advocate for the moratorium on
logging activities in the entire Lake
Kutubu catchment
DEC LLG
SHPG
WWF
OSL
PNG Forest
Authority
(PNGFA)
Local
communities
Short
2 Undertake a study of the peat swamp forest system to assess its condition, and
WWF Medium
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implement remedial actions to mitigate
any negative impacts arising from land
development / clearing activities.
3 Develop a fire management plan WWF LLG
Local
communities
Medium
4 Advocate for the expansion of the
protected area network within the Lake
Kutubu catchment to protect key
habitats and species
DEC
WWF
LLG
Local
communities
Long
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This definition for the timescale applies throughout the document.
ISSUE 8.2: The growing threat of invasive species
Invasive fauna
• Cyprinus
carpio ‐ European carp or common carp
Reliable reports about the introduction, distribution and population status of this
species are not available. It is unlikely that this species preys actively on other
species of fish; however, the carp can compete for food and spawning sites.
Habitats used by the carp for laying eggs, such as submerged grass or aquatic
vegetation, are used also by small native fish, such as Gudgeons and Rainbowfish.
Moreover, its foraging and bottom‐feeding habit increases water turbidity, which
destroys rooted vegetation. Carp are extremely successful species as they can
tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and endure relatively poor
water quality. Carp can survive at high and low temperatures, high salinity, high
concentrations of silt, high turbidity, and low dissolved oxygen levels. Therefore, if
the Common Carp is proven to be present in Lake Kutubu, it could well replace
the native fish the next time the lake undergoes an ‘overturning’ event. At the
moment, the options available for eradicating the carp from large lakes include:
fishing, poisoning and using biological control. However each of these methods is
not fool‐proof and scientific studies are ongoing to identify alternatives.
• Gambusia affinis – Mosquito fish
Its presence has only been confirmed from the Inu area, but no studies have been
conducted to determine its population size and distribution. Generally, this species
is introduced for the purposes of controlling mosquito populations, but the reasons
for its presence in the area are unknown.
• Oreochromis sp. – Tilapia
When this fish is introduced into a natural environment, it competes with the
native species for food and habitat. At present, it is farmed in some fishponds
around the lake; its presence in the lake remains to be confirmed.
• The frog species Litoria dahlii has been recorded in the Kikori ICDP.
• Local people report incidences of people having been bitten by a snake resembling
the Black Cobra in the area around the lake. The presence of the Black Cobra (Naja
naja) in the area needs to be confirmed.
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Threats of accidental introduction from fishponds
In recent years, fish farming has developed around the lake area, largely to
supplement the protein requirements of the local people. This poses one of the biggest
risks of introduction of new species into the aquatic ecosystem of the Lake Kutubu
Catchment.
Invasive Flora
15 species of invasive plants have been recorded in the Lake Kutubu Catchment.
Locals have also reported the presence of green filamentous algae, lying on the bottom
of the lake covering the other aquatic plants and occasionally floating under the
surface in small tufts. Its presence was firstly noted by the people of Inu, and it was
subsequently observed around Wasemi and K Point. No survey has been conducted to
assess its distribution.
Management Objective
8.2:
Halt
the
spread
of
invasive
fauna
and
flora
in
the
Lake
Kutubu catchment
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Undertake a detailed study to assess
the status of invasive species in the
catchment and their impact on the
ecosystems in the catchment; develop
an invasive species management plan.
WWF DEC
OSL
CDI
National
Fisheries
Authority
Local
communities
Short
2 Develop and implement an awareness
campaign to inform all stakeholders
about the negative impacts of invasive
species and measures that can be taken to reduce the threat.
WWF Local
communities
Short
3 Undertake a study on possibility of
farming native species; if this proves
unfeasible, identify alloctonous
species that would represent no
threats to the lake ecosystem and
introduce these to replace the use of
exotic species.
CDI
National
Fisheries
Authority
WWF
Local
communities
Medium
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This
definition
for
the
timescale
applies
throughout
the
document.
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ISSUE 8.3: Lack of detailed information and a monitoring regime to advise
the management of biological diversity in the Lake Kutubu catchment
Management Objective 8.3: Enhance the conservation and protection of the
biodiversity resources in the Lake Kutubu Catchment
No. Action Lead Others Timescale*
1 Undertake a literature survey and
compile existing literature on the
biodiversity resources of the
catchment.
WWF DEC
OSL
Short
2 Review the “State of the Lake Kutubu
Catchment” report to establish the
ecosystem health of the system, and
identify gaps in knowledge.
WWF DEC Medium
3 Develop a coherent and integrated
research framework to address gaps
in knowledge and to support the
implementation of the CMP.
WWF DEC Medium
4 Establish a monitoring program for
the IUCN Red List species found in
the catchment
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Medium
5 Develop action plans to ensure the
conservation of key species of flora
and fauna in the Lake Kutubu
catchment.
WWF DEC
LLG
SHPG
OSL
Local
communities
Long
* Short, medium and long are defined by 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years and 5 years plus respectively.
This
definition
for
the
timescale
applies
throughout
the
document.
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Annex 1: Source documents used to develop the Lake Kutubu
Catchment Management Plan
1. Finding the Sago Way: Landscape and identity in local level decision making,
Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea. Marc Wohling, Brahminy House Environment and Development, April 2007
2. Environmental, social and economical background information on the Lake
Kutubu Catchment: Baseline data for the future Lake Kutubu Catchment
Management Plan. Laure Miaillier, May‐ July 2006
3. Information Sheet for Lake Kutubu Ramsar site. Available for download at:
http://www.wetlands.org/RSDB/default.htm
4. Mammal survey of two sites on the northeast slopes of Mt Sisa, Southern Highlands Province, PNG ‐ October 1999. Tanya Leary, Kikori Integrated
Conservation and Development Project, July 2001
5. Mammals of the Lake Kutubu Swamp Forests. A Report to Wetlands
International. Tanya Leary, WWF Kikori ICDP, November, 1998
6. Survey of birds and Mammals at Utiti Creek
7. Rapid Biodiversity Survey of North West Paua Proposed Drill Site, PDL 5,
Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Balun Lawong and Gebia Olo, 12 June 2006
8. Orchid survey of the Lake Kutubu area, Papua New Guinea
9. Preliminary assessment of Lake Kutubu (Papua New Guinea) swamp forest
sediment deposits and hydrology. Robin G. Totome and Patrick L. Osborne,
May 1999
10. Study of the proposed Kutubu Poroma forestry concession and Analysis of the
potential alternatives, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Dhorne Pierre, World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Kikori Integrated
Conservation and Development Project, April 2006 – July 2006
11. Birds of the Lake Kutubu swamp forest, Papua New Guinea. Summary Report.
Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International, including data obtained by Jared
Diamond and David Bishop for WWF – Kikori ICDP
12. Birds recorded at Lake Kutubu, Moro and Agogo range, Papua New Guinea.
Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International – Oceania, 30 July to 2 August 1997
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13. Subsistence catch monitoring – Lake Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province,
PNG. September, 1995 – February 1997. Tanya Leary, World Wildlife Fund –
Kikori ICDP, May, 1997.
14. A Directory of Asian Wetlands. Scott, D.A. (ed.) IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and
Cambridge, U.K. 1181pp. 1989.
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Annex 2: Goals and Objectives adopted by the Integrated
Catchment Management (ICM) Forum (March 2007)
Goal 1: Protect and maintain existing fish populations with the aim of returning
them to
past
abundance
Objectives:
• Use traditional fishing methods (Use traditional fish traps/nets/baskets only)
• Use of fish ponds
• Set up closed fishing areas and use sign boards to mark the areas
• Undertake a net exchange use only 3 inch and above mesh sizes
• Educate villagers about fishery problems within the lake
• Establish a moratorium on fisheries
• Establish a no take policy for fish with eggs
• Impose a fish size limit‐ minimum size
• Undertake further ecological research on effects of water quality on fish recruitment
• No diesel engines on lake
• Establish buffer zones around lake
• No burning or garden development to occur in buffer zones
• Regulate use of motor boats in the lake
• Develop a fisheries management plan
• Ban non‐landowners from fishing in the lake unless authorised by landowners
Goal 2: Maintain and protect the integrity of existing forests and biodiversity
Objectives: • Protect old growth trees: no logging of large old trees
• Undertake further scientific research on forest ecology and biodiversity
• Control and monitor all activities in the forest
• Protect habitat of endangered species
• Undertake specific research on the ecology of endangered species
• Ensure reforestation of cleared areas
• Set up a nursery to propagate local flora
• Develop a noise pollution monitoring and control plan
• No burning policy in the dry season
• Develop a fire management plan • Undertake regular monitoring of air and soil quality
• Control use of hunting with guns in forest
• Regulate hunting methods
• No hunting of wildlife from the roadside by travelling public
• No illegal harvesting or collecting of plans and animals
• Ban non‐landowners from hunting and clearing forest unless authorised by
landowners
• No Oil and Gas exploration or activities in sacred areas
• Monitor and control the number of pigs in the forest
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Goal 3: Monitor and maintain air quality and prevent further pollution
Objective:
• Develop an air pollution monitoring plan
Goal 4: Maintain and monitor water quality and prevent further pollution
Objectives:
• Establish an independent water testing and monitoring regime
• Establish protocols to ensure Oil Search regularly reports back to villages on
water monitoring results
• Undertake further hydrological research in the catchment including rainfall
monitoring
• Undertake research on the effects of climate change on the Lake Kutubu
catchment
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The ICM forum also identified the following areas as priority targets that
require immediate action:
Landscape
priority
Focus Area
Biodiversity
targets
Socio‐
economic
issues
Threats Action Indicator
1. Lake
Kutubu
Endemic
fish (12 spp)
Crayfish
Birds
Lake
ecology
Managing
the effects
and impacts
of
overfishing
Livelihoods vs.
conservation
Population
increase/
Migration
Overfishing
Clearing of riverine
environment
Invasive
species
Species loss
Pollution
and waste management
Water
quality
OSL
operations
Develop a
fisheries
management
plan that
incorporates a
community
ranger program
including
compliance
program
Strengthen
customary
conservation
zones
Undertake
comprehensive
fish survey,
ecological and
recruitment
study
Monitor water
quality
Ongoing
community
education
Endemic
fish species
No of
people
fishing
Enforcement
of closed
areas
Regulation
of net size
Water
quality
2. Lake
Kutubu
Swamp
forests
and
wetlands
Endemic
frogs
Juvenile fish
and
crayfish
Forest and wetland
Managing
the effects of
unregulated
burning and
an
increase in gardens
Population
and
settlement
increase
Clearing, burning and
Resource
assessment of
swamp forest
and wetland
usage
Commence
Endemic
frogs
Water
quality
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Landscape
priority
Focus Area
Biodiversity
targets
Socio‐
economic
issues
Threats Action Indicator
flora
Livelihoods
vs.
conservation
gardening
Invasive
species
Species loss
Pollution
and waste
management
OSL
operations
dialogue with
communities
on closed areas
establish
buffer zones
3. Lake
riverine
habitat
Lakeside
vegetation
and
forest
structure
Managing
the effects of
unregulated
burning and
an
increase in
gardens
Livelihoods
vs.
conservation
Population
Clearing,
burning and
gardening
Invasive
species
Species loss
Pollution
and waste
management
Erosion
OSL
operations
Resource
assessment of
steep
forest areas
Further
dialogue with
communities
on clearing in
these areas
Develop waste
management
strategy
Check results
of biodiversity
survey
Undertake
further
surveys
Identify
target
species to be
used as
indicators
No. of
buffer zones
established
and
enforced
4. Upper
catchment
tributaries
Fish
Birds
Forest
Logging
Livelihoods
vs.
Logging
Water
quality
Establish
independent
water
quality
Identify
target
species to be
used as
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Landscape
priority
Focus Area
Biodiversity
targets
Socio‐
economic
issues
Threats Action Indicator
conservation
Increase in
traditional
activities
such as
hunting,
fishing and
gardening
Invasive
species
Species loss
Pollution
and waste
management
Erosion
OSL
operations
monitoring
Hydrology
flow rate
monitoring
Resource
assessment
project
Ongoing
dialogue in
regard to
threats.
indicators
Population