Rising Sea level is a problem faced by Papua New Guinea and many other countries in the world. It is often low lying coastal areas which are prone to the devastating impacts of sea level rise. I have witnessed first hand in Papua New Guinea whilst as an undergraduate student of geography at the University of Papua New Guinea in the late 1980's and as the Physical Geography Lecturer there in the 1990's. I had the opportunity to travel around some of the coastal low lying areas of Papua New Guinea including the Gulf and Western Provinces and it was not surprising to see the sea actively eroding and drowning huge chunks of the coasts. Many villages had to be relocated further back inland as the sea shore migrates inland. The problem is further exacerbated by increased salinity. Fresh water areas and estuaries are being drowned by progressive migration of saline water inland thus affecting local freshwater supplies. I can also perceive that there might be other complicating issues such as land tenure and ownership around coastal communities that could be a cause for concern in the future as portions of land including villages are being drowned by the sea and people are being forced to move elsewhere inland.
Today I read in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper about the sea level rise threat to Manus Island of Papua New Guinea (see map; island description). Certainly, the government of Papua New Guinea has the political and moral responsibility to make sure that long term developmental plans for the country must consider the present as well as the future socio-environmental and economic interest of its people at heart in trying to manage this global phenomenon.
[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper -Dated: Friday 11 April,2008]
Rising sea level threatens Manus
By VERONICA MANUK
A PROPOSAL is currently being worked on to relocate the villagers of Ahus island in Manus because of a rise in sea level.
Provincial administrator Wep Kanawi said negotiations are going on between the Ahus people and Laip, a close by village on the mainland, for the relocation.
Their food gardens and water sources have been affected. There is ongoing erosion making it difficult to build houses, make gardens and fish.
Mr Kanawi said the administration has set up a committee to help with the negotiations.
Similar problems are also being experienced in the other outer islands and coastal villages.
He said originally Manus had 218 islands. Seven have been covered by sea and between 50 and 60 villages affected.
The governor’s office is aware of the problem and said rise in sea level is a global issue and everybody’s concern.
An officer said they are aware of the negotiations between the two groups of people.
However, he did not disclose any immediate plans to relocate the people, but said the government is concern and would address it.
Asked if there was enough land on the mainland for the relocation exercise, he added: “There is enough land to relocate the people.”
Today I read in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper about the sea level rise threat to Manus Island of Papua New Guinea (see map; island description). Certainly, the government of Papua New Guinea has the political and moral responsibility to make sure that long term developmental plans for the country must consider the present as well as the future socio-environmental and economic interest of its people at heart in trying to manage this global phenomenon.
[Article from the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper -Dated: Friday 11 April,2008]
Rising sea level threatens Manus
By VERONICA MANUK
A PROPOSAL is currently being worked on to relocate the villagers of Ahus island in Manus because of a rise in sea level.
Provincial administrator Wep Kanawi said negotiations are going on between the Ahus people and Laip, a close by village on the mainland, for the relocation.
Their food gardens and water sources have been affected. There is ongoing erosion making it difficult to build houses, make gardens and fish.
Mr Kanawi said the administration has set up a committee to help with the negotiations.
Similar problems are also being experienced in the other outer islands and coastal villages.
He said originally Manus had 218 islands. Seven have been covered by sea and between 50 and 60 villages affected.
The governor’s office is aware of the problem and said rise in sea level is a global issue and everybody’s concern.
An officer said they are aware of the negotiations between the two groups of people.
However, he did not disclose any immediate plans to relocate the people, but said the government is concern and would address it.
Asked if there was enough land on the mainland for the relocation exercise, he added: “There is enough land to relocate the people.”
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