Beasts, humans live in peace

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Crocodiles, snakes, boars and human beings are living in peace, side by side, in the hinterland along the Mambremo river, Irian Jaya. They mingle playfully.

This is neither a fiction, nor children's bedtime story but a real life scene, as told by an official of the local Development Planning Agency, Rence Kawengian, to Antara yesterday.

But the area, which has hardly been adulterated by so called "modernity", may soon change because the local government plans to turn it into a wildlife sanctuary.

"The provincial government is interested in its uniqueness of animals and may make the area a wildlife reserve," Kawengian said.

He said the 1.3 million-hectare area has little contact with the outside world because it is located deep in the hinterland.

"I'm sure it will become one of Irian's major tourist destinations if it is professionally managed," he said.

The Irian Jaya provincial government has been conducting a feasibility study for the wildlife sanctuary project. (pan)