goodmorningpapua.com – Cenderawasih University (Uncen) together with the WWF Indonesia Papua Program Foundation launched a field guide book for bird-observing ecotourism guides on Cenderawasih Earth, as a source of information and education for tourists.
This book is expected to provide benefits for increasing community capacity and strengthening the role of campuses in community service.
“This book was composed by utilizing the results of a survey of bird species diversity in the lowland areas of northern Papua and its islands,” he said.
According to Apolo Safanpo, the results of a survey conducted by the University of Cenderawasih and the WWF Indonesia Foundation for the Papua Program, in the 2016-2019 period, also became the basis for the development of a community-based bird-watching ecotourism program in several locations, such as Kampung Rhepang Muaif and Sawesuma in Jayapura Regency, Kampung Sawendui and Aryoubu in the Yapen Islands Regency.
In line with Apolo, a Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Dirk Y. P. Runtuboi said that the identification of biodiversity and sustainable use is one of the focuses of his research, especially at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as a contribution to efforts in protecting Papua’s biodiversity.
“This book contains descriptions of 114 bird species from 212 species scattered in the lowlands of Papua, so it is very representative as a reference in bird observation and identification, especially for bird lovers, to participate in protecting and preserving birds in Papua,” he said.
Meanwhile, a manager of WWF Indonesia Foundation Papua Program Wika Rumbiak said that apart from being a guide for activities by ecotourism guides, this book is also a source of information and education for tourists.
“These birds are protected animals and their use is only as a sustainable tourism asset and should not be traded or used as souvenirs,” he said.
He added that this book is also a part of the documentation of local culture, because it is equipped with local languages.
The book display is packed full of colors, there are some interesting facts about certain types of birds, illustrations that attract children’s interest to learn more about how to identify bird morphology.
The digital version of the book is equipped with a bird’s voice feature that can be heard immediately. The uniqueness of this book makes it suitable for bird lovers, both children and adults.