Papua is an area of eastern Indonesia that has unique biodiversity. Many endemic animals are not found in other areas, one of which is the bird of paradise. The bird of paradise is the most beautiful Papua heritage in the world.
Papua’s forests have endemic flora and fauna that are not found in other regions of Indonesia, or even the world. The Cendarawasih bird is one of the endemic animals that has become an icon of Papua Province. Papua is famous as the “Cenderawasih Earth” area.
According to IUCN, birds of paradise with conservation status have a low risk of extinction. However, hunting and trading of Cenderawasih birds is increasing, coupled with the destruction of habitats in Papua’s tropical rainforests, especially the reclamation of oil palm plantations. Therefore, the Cenderawasih bird as an endemic fauna in the Land of Papua requires conservation efforts.
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Some things that threaten the survival of the Cenderawasih bird population, including the illegal hunting and capture of Cenderawasih birds that are used as decorations in traditional rituals or for trade, due to illegal logging for transmigration settlements and oil palm plantations.
The culture of the community that uses Cenderawasih birds as decoration is one of the factors in reducing the population of Cenderawasih birds. Cenderawasih bird specimens are often used as decorations when there are large rituals (welcoming guests), wedding rituals, and traditional rituals.
In fact, Papua’s rainforests must be protected because of their endemic flora and fauna. The occurrence of land conversion of rainforest land itself will threaten the survival of endemic flora and fauna populations of Papua, one of which is the Cenderawasih bird.
The survival of the Cenderawasih bird population can be protected through the protection of habitats or community-based ecosystems. The community is directly involved in conservation efforts by maintaining, protecting and preserving Cenderawasih birds by not destroying their habitat or protecting their ecosystem.
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Traditional leaders or tribal chiefs as important figures of conservation actors who can provide or issue a rule to their indigenous peoples. By no longer using specimens of native Cenderawasih birds as decoration in traditional and cultural rituals. The original decoration of the Cenderawasih bird can be replaced with synthetic materials, such as using Cenderawasih feathers made of plastic.
Customary leaders can also make rules so that their indigenous peoples do not destroy forests through illegal logging or can act as forest rangers where communities are not involved in the sale of customary forests for forest conversion.
Local governments through relevant agencies can cooperate cross-sectorally with the Papua BKSDA, to implement the decree of the Minister of Forestry in Law No. 5 of 1990 and PP No. 7 of 1999 concerning the protection and preservation of Cenderawasih birds.
The Papua government and all elements of the Papua people must work together in preserving the Cenderawasih bird population, so that in the future future future generations will not only see the Cenderawasih bird from storybooks or in zoos. Remember, the bird of paradise is the most beautiful Papua heritage in the world.