UNESCO, WWF research Lorentz Park

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A team from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Jakarta office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), have begun scientific research in the Lorentz National Park, Irian Jaya, Antara reported.

"The research is to study the feasibility of the Lorentz becoming a World Heritage Site, in connection with the proposal of President B.J. Habibie relayed through the forestry minister," said the provincial forestry ministry officer Agus Rumansara here Wednesday.

The park has 6,000 ha area reserve inhabited by various rare animals and plants. American scientist Ronald Petocz, for instance, has found six species of rare mammals there.