Raja Ampat District Head Calls For Protection Of Birds Of Paradise

SORONG, W Papua, Sept 29 (Antara)- District Head of Raja Ampat Abdul Faris Umlati has called for the protection and preservation of Birds of Paradise, or locally called the birds of Cenderawasih, which are found in large numbers throughout the district's forest. The protection of the Birds of Paradise, which are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes (Perching Birds), is needed for both future generations and for the area's tourism, he said here on Tuesday. In Sapokrem forest, visitors can view the beautiful birds and enjoy their calls, he noted. In addition to the Birds of Paradise, Papua Island, comprising West Papua and Papua Provinces, is also the home of the Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria) and Crested Cockatoo, locally called the Mambruk birds. Rajat Ampat is not only famous for its beautiful marine views, but also for its forests where the Birds of Paradise dance and sing every morning, according to Umlati. The West Papua provincial administration has issued a regulation banning the hunting of Birds of Paradise and other rare birds. However, without the support of local inhabitants, particularly the traditional adat (customary) community, the hunting ban will be useless, he noted. The Raja Ampat District administration has carried out public campaigns to improve the public¿s awareness about preservation of rare birds. "We continue to implement programs to change the way of thinking of those still hunting Birds of Paradise, so those endemic birds would remain tourist attractions," he added. Birds of Paradise are endangered due to poachers, while visitors seek them as souvenirs. Home to the world's remaining virgin tropical rainforests with vast biological diversity, the island of Papua is endowed with endemic fauna, such as possums, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, and the endangered Long-beaked Echidna. It also has the world's longest lizards and largest butterflies.