RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Protecting people and the environment is an essential design and operational criteria for the Kutubu Petroleum Development Project to minimise the physical, social and economic impacts on the local people and their environment in Papua New Guinea. This paper describes how Kutubu was implemented, and how World Wildlife Fund is assisting the neighbouring communities to utilise their natural resources for long term benefit. The objectives and first year expectations of a three year integrated conservation and development project are identified, and the progress is summarised.
Introduction
Chevron Niugini, as operator for the Kutubu Joint Venture (KJV) invited World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to start an Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) in the Kikori River basin of the Gulf and Southern Highlands Provinces as shown in Figure 1. The KJV consists of Ampolex, BP Exploration, BHP Petroleum, Chevron Niugini, Japan PNG Petroleum, Oil Search Limited, and Petroleum Resources Kutubu.
The oil field and export pipeline are located in the Kikori River basin which is an undeveloped and isolated area of PNG shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the ICDP area including the Kikori River Basin. The oil field and export pipeline is shown in Figure 4. The only existing infrastructure in this area consists of a few unpaved airstrips and village roads, and the access road from Poroma to Moro to the oil fields. This road was completed in January 1994 and was intentionally routed away from Lake Kutubu to avoid any erosion or run off into the lake.
Continuing development in the area has the potential to further impact the pristine rainforest. WWF's expertise and experience will assist the landowners and government agencies to determine how to conserve and maintain the natural resources of the area. The intent is to assist the local people to identify and initiate sustainable development activities of their resources to achieve lasting benefits. The estimated 20,000 people who live in this 20,000 square kilometre area raise subsistence gardens, hunt, and gather food. They depend on the natural resources for their survival.
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