ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION TEXT

ABOUT

PRESERVING THE BIRD OF PARADISE

Group member :

Bealda Khairunnisa
Nailah Khansa
Nabila Hasna

XI MIPA 3
 THESIS

Cendrawasih is the Indonesian word for “Bird of Paradise” and is normally

found in Papua, Eastern Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. Notable
for its beautiful feathers, unfortunately they are constantly a target of
illegal hunting and is nearly on the edge of extinction. Normally killed by
arrow, their feathers are taken to be sold in malls or hotels openly. 

However, nowadays Cendrawasih are wanted alive, to be kept as pets. In

Jakarta, one bird can be sold even more expensively, compared to the ones
in Papua, ranging up to USD 600. Although local ceremonies are still
allowed to use Cendrawasih’s feathers, the Indonesian government has
banned the trading of these animals. Unfortunately, not strictly enough,
since the demand is still high.

Locally known as Cendrawasih, the bird species is synonymous with the

island but it has fallen prey to illegal trade, poaching and taxidermy. The
environmental organization believes this is mainly due to a lack of
awareness.

Since 2013, the WWF has conducted a survey of habitat and species
population in Papua, and we found that there are more than 40 types of
birds in the paradise species. This means that conservation efforts are
necessary, and one of the ways could be with ecotourism and educational
activities

The birds are part of the cultural heritage of indigenous communities in

Papua, who preserve the forests and the birds' natural habitat. However,
we believes that it is the greater responsibility of all Indonesians,
especially in the eastern part of the archipelago.
 ARGUMENTS

Raise Awareness of These Spectacular Birds

Watch the video to experience the beauty of the island of New Guinea and
meet the people in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua who
are determined to save its forests. The largest tropical island in the world,
New Guinea is home to more than 600 species of birds, including 27 bird-
of-paradise species, many of which live nowhere else on earth.

With more than 75% of its forests still intact, New Guinea’s forests are
also globally important for climate change mitigation, but are at risk
because of development for palm oil, timber, and infrastructure. As the
governments of Papua and West Papua and international partners have
sought conservation solutions, your support has helped the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology provide science, compelling stories, and inspirational film and
photography of the birds-of-paradise to raise awareness of these
spectacular birds and the region’s rich biodiversity.

In 2018 Manokwari Declaration, the governors of Indonesia’s two New

Guinea provinces committed to conserve 70% of the forest cover for the
western half of the island, an exciting blueprint for the future of climate
change mitigation, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.

Global interest in Papua’s birdlife is leading to increased opportunities for

wildlife tourism and bringing newfound economic benefits to local
communities. Realizing this vision will require much work and investment
but, if achieved, will create a brighter future for Papua’s people and
wildlife—and for the world.

Indonesia's rainforests are home to 41 birds-of-paradise species, according

to Roring, 37 of which can be found in the jungles of Papua.
They range from the lesser bird-of-paradise, known for its yellow and
white flank plumes, to the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, recognisable by
the filaments that extend from its tail.

Admired for their striking colours and elaborate courtship rituals, the birds
have a long history of being trapped and traded as ornaments.

They captivated Europeans after 16th century explorers returned with

skins that had been dried, truncated of their legs and mounted to sticks;
while their colourful feathers are still popular additions to traditional
Papuan tribal decorations, such as headdresses.

Serene Chng, a programme officer at environmental NGO Traffic, said the

wild birds are smuggled to other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Law enforcement capacity is very limited. Challenges include demand

from consumers, corruption, poor surveillance, as well as lack of support
from non-enforcement agencies that could help like airlines, shippers,
courier services and airports.

If the awareness is high, the law enforcement capacity in conserving bird

of paradise will not be limited. Also, probably there will be support that
comes from non-enforcement agencies.
 Save Its Habitat

Deep in Indonesia's easternmost province, a group of birdwatchers wait in

earnest hoping to glimpse the renowned birds-of-paradise. Once plentiful
in Papua's jungles, rampant poaching and deforestation have devastated
populations.

The tourists are in luck, their patience is rewarded: Perched on the branch
of a tall tree near the remote village of Malagufuk, a red king bird-of-
paradise can be seen darting between the leaves.

Agricultural plantations, touted as a means to improve economic

opportunities, are rapidly expanding in Papua. But some villagers and
conservationists warn this will result in forests being destroyed and the
birds that inhabit them driven to the brink of extinction.

Birds-of-paradise numbers were already dwindling in Papua as they are

poached, killed and used for decoration. Authorities have since banned the
sale of the species but there is still a thriving illegal trade because
international demand is high.  

Authorities have banned the sale of birds-of-paradise, but this has not done
much to dent the illegal trade, because demand is high.

Nowadays the threat is not just wildlife hunting, but illegal logging. The
conversion of forests to palm oil and cocoa plantations is the biggest
threat.
 Long-term wildlife conservation requires local communities to
understand the direct link between protecting their forests and
protecting their future

Landowners from Kutubu, Southern Highlands, have pledged to protect

the Bird of Paradise known as kumul in Tok Pisin. These community
groups have renewed their commitment to work with World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) to promote the conservation and management of key sites and
species of the iconic bird found in the region.

Of the 31 different species found in Papua New Guinea, 24 are confirmed

to be in the Kikori Basin, as recorded by WWF, and six in the Kutubu
region. However, these majestic birds face increasing threat due to harmful
and unsustainable land-use practices. These birds are also hunted for their
plumes for decorations, traditional headdresses and gifts.

In December last year, WWF held a workshop in Tugiri and Daga which
was attended by 30 people who owned Bird of Paradise watching sites.
The participants expressed their intention to be proactive in preventing the
extinction of the species.

WWF programme development manager Kafuri Yaro said the fund was
looking at strengthening its work in the Kikori Basin to promote
sustainable livelihood issues and increase local community engagement in
the Bird of Paradise conservation programme. Yaro said this would
complement the existing work on eco-tourism by promoting the Bird of
Paradise sites, improving its conservation status of migratory birds and
initiating specific plans for specific threatened species.

We must to identify and utilise opportunities for increased awareness and

appreciation on the importance of the region’s unique native wildlife,
amazing landmarks and rare cultural way of life which is celebrated
annually at the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival.
 Eco-tourism Solution

In Sorong, one of the largest cities in Indonesia's West Papua province, a

souvenir vendor told AFP traditional headbands made with  feathers could
fetch as much as 1.5 million rupiah ($112).

Papua is home to one-third of Indonesia's remaining rainforests but they

are being chopped down at a rapid rate.

Palm oil companies started operating near Malagufuk village about three
years ago, according to environmentalist Max Binur, from NGO Belantara
Sorong.

Binur, who knew residents were worried the companies would destroy the
surrounding forests and their traditional village life, proposed a solution he
believed would protect the birds and forest.

He helped turn Malagufuk into an ecovillage where residents now work as

guides or provide accommodation for visitors.

Up to 20 tourists visit each month to see the birds-of-paradise, as well as

other bird species such as the Cassowary and Hornbill.

Visitors must trek two hours through the jungle to reach a remote
settlement of stilt houses that has limited electricity.

It sounded like a good ecotourism tour we could do.

Binur is planning to launch similar ecovillage ventures across Papua and

hopes tourism will lead to conservation of the world-famous birds and
benefit locals.

Tourists can bring in a bit of their money so the villagers can afford to
nurture their families, send their kids to school, buy clothes and with this
they will be conscious to save the nature.
 REITERATION

From the arguments and facts above, we can conclude that each one of us
must conserve the birds of paradise so the next generationyour children
or grandchildren, can still look directly at or find the birds of paradise in
forestnot in a book or in the internet or a picture or just a story from their
parents or grandparents or something like that. The bird’s habitat, native
forests must also be protected if it is to survive.