Current News and ongoing Projects

North Minahasa Regional Protected Area Initiated

Since May, 1997 we have been attempting to have the whole North East corner of Sulawesi, from the mouth of the Lembay Straits to Manado placed under National Park status. This status was nearly granted during 1998 however the economic and environmental crisis stalled that plan.

During 1999, we continued our drive by meeting with officials at the Ministry of Environment numerous times, as well as with other agencies like KEHATI, WWF, and Walhi. In spite of our efforts, we drew little attention. The chaos created by the elections and other problems throughout Indonesia put all environmental projects on the back burner.

1999 was probably one of the worst years for environmental causes in the history of Indonesia. Being represented by one of the most controversial environmental Ministers in years, weakened by scandals, no new proposals were taken seriously unless immediate business profits were to be made.

Finally the Proposal for the North Minahasa Protected Area, the North-East corner of Sulawesi, has been Initiated by Earth Advocates, May 2006.

 

Earth Advocate Representative meeting with newly elected leader of Minahasa Utara (North Minahasa), Vonnie Panambunan, and her staff members, accompanied by WWF representative, Angelique Batuna, on May 21, 2006, to discuss the Establishment of an Integrated Protected Area in North Minahasa.