Club says research in Irian must continue<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Biological Science Club of Indonesia said
\nyesterday research programs must continue in Irian Jaya in spite
\nof a hostage-taking tragedy in which the club lost this month two
\nof its members.<\/p>\n
In a statement, however, the club stated it has temporarily
\nceased all research programs in Irian Jaya in compliance with a
\ngovernment ban announced after the end, on May 16, of the four-
\nmonth hostage drama.<\/p>\n
"We hope that researchers will not be deterred or discouraged
\nfrom conducting work in Irian Jaya, or any other part of
\nIndonesia for that matter, because of this incident," according
\nto a statement read at a media briefing to announce the
\npreliminary results of the Lorentz 1995 Expedition.<\/p>\n
The briefing, given by the club's chairman, Yuda Novendri
\nLamand, also presented Jualita Tanasale, one of the club's
\nmembers who survived the four-month hostage ordeal.<\/p>\n
Adinda Saraswati, another survivor who is still in hospital,
\nsaid in a taped statement that the tragic death of her two
\ncolleagues saddened her. "(But) I hope this incident does not
\ndampen the spirits of other researchers to conduct work in the
\narea (Irian Jaya)."<\/p>\n
"The Lorentz Expedition was launched with the intention of
\nhelping the community there," she said.<\/p>\n
Four graduates of the Emmanuel College, University of
\nCambridge, England, joined in the expedition and went through the
\nsame ordeal, as did two Dutch citizens.<\/p>\n
The five-week expedition into the Lorentz Nature Reserve made
\nnumerous findings. They include: 121 types of birds, six kinds of
\nmammals, six kinds of reptiles, six kinds of insects, 26 kinds of
\namphibious species, two kinds of fish, 163 flora specimens, and
\n50 kinds of plants for ethnobiology studies.<\/p>\n
It also found plant species that have potential uses for
\nhumans: 30 for foodstuff, two for clothing, eight for planks, 25
\nfor medicines, 15 for fire food, six for handicraft, 20 for tools
\nand ornaments, and 10 for miscellaneous uses such as soap,
\nmusical instruments, cigarettes and torches.<\/p>\n
The Lorentz natural reserve spans a 2.15-million hectare area
\nin central Irian Jaya. Earlier researches have already determined
\nthat the area contains about 81 percent of mammals and 65 percent
\nof birds found in Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Given the characteristics and uniqueness of the flora and
\nfauna found, and the diversity of cultures and ethnicities,
\nLorentz is "one of the world's major natural assets," the club
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The expedition was launched to obtain basic information about
\nflora and fauna in the area and make preliminary studies about
\nconservation as well as the development of the reserve.<\/p>\n
It was also intended to learn about the potential uses of
\nflora and fauna for the Ndunga tribes, who inhabit the area, by
\ncombining modern scientific knowledge and the tribe's traditional
\nknowledge. (16\/emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/club-says-research-in-irian-must-continue-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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