Author(s): Elisabeth Veronika Wambrauw; Te Kipa Kepa Brian Morgan
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Smat; Māori; Sustainable
Abstract: The management of wetlands in Papua is extremely important because of the relevance to global environmental changes, climate change and sea level rise, and concern about the indigenous people of Papua. These changes have an impact on biodiversity, ecosystems and culture. Some consider that the development of Papua should continue. However the policies developed to achieve this should also ensure sustainability of outcomes. The decision making has to consider all aspects, not only economic, technical, and environmental but also social-cultural in order to achieve social justice. This paper determines the feasibility of transferring a decision making framework created specifically for the Aotearoa New Zealand context to Asmat, Papua. The concept Mauri is the binding force between spirit and substance that enables life, enhances wellbeing, and is the basis of the Mauri Model Decision Making Framework. Evaluation feasibility is carried out for development in southern Papua, particularly, Asmat. Asmat is located in the delta area of southern Papua tropical forest with big meandering rivers, and is the largest tidal lowland area of Papua. Asmat has the attributes of a globally unique ecosystem and significant cultural diversity. The indigenous people of this muddy area are the Asmat People. The culture based aspiration of the Asmat people is to sustain the balance in the universe; the Asmat believe in a consistency between the human, the environment and the spirit of the environment. Recently, local government and World Wildlife Fund introduced a program to introduce mangrove plantation in several critical areas in coastal Asmat. The traditional story records previous significant change in the ecosystem in coastal areas. Geo-cultural similarities have been identified between Māori of New Zealand and Asmat in their approaches to environmental guardianship, leadership systems, land and water for the next generation, the balance of life, ancestral spirits, and traditional knowledge. Drawing on parallels between Māori and Asmat, although not identical, the feasibility of framework transferability to the context of Asmat is evaluated. The Mauri Model Decision Making Framework with adaptation of the socio-cultural relevance is suitable to assess the equitable distribution of infrastructure development in Asmat. The framework will be used for the evaluation of the water resource practices in Asmat.
Year: 2014