Beasts, humans live in peace

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)