Dikasuna launches GOLBA Protected Area

By-line: Abagain MARA

Dikasuna Local Action Team proudly introduced Golba as their first of a kind Protected Area under the Nature Conservation Project.

The initiative is being developed in partnership with village leaders to safeguard biodiversity and strengthen community management of natural resources.

GOLBA was chosen as the first Protected Area because it is the last  remnant forest belonging to the Sipaku Clan, which lives across Emai, Elama, Gabakama, Gabakure, Kamtai and Muaina villages in Suai LLG, Sinasina-Yonggomugl District. Sipaku is the largest clan in the Kre’Ku Sub-Tribe of the Dinga Tribe.

The forest lies on Moregabil Mountain above Elama village, overlooking the lands of the Nimai and Dom tribes.

“In our first visit when we started Dikasuna, the forest was almost untouched. Since then, human activities have affected its ecosystems. Therefore, Dikasuna Nature Conservation is taking this initiative to work towards protecting GOLBA and saving it for our future generation,” MR. KAUPA said.

The organisation has invited all Sipaku tribesmen and women to join the project, along with members of the Kre’Ku clans of Poye, Aure and Korul.

“We would like to invite all tribesman and woman of Sipaku to embrace this opportunity to do something worthwhile to save our last remaining forest,” MR. KAUPA said.

The project is not only about protecting biodiversity, but also about reducing carbon emissions and safeguarding communities against climate change.

“Let us work together to protect our ecosystems and sustain our lives on this planet by reducing carbon emissions and protecting our home and planet,” MR. KAUPA said.

Unlike other regions in the highlands, where small forest patches remain but are unprotected, GOLBA stands out as the only community declared Protected Area recognised through District and Provincial registration. This legal recognition gives the landowners authority to manage forest sustainability, supported by Dikasuna Conservations Framework.

Progress updates on the protected area will be shared in the coming months.