SEPIK CROCODILE FESTIVAL 

                         August 11 -12, Ambunti, East Sepik Province
 

The Sepik Crocodile Festival is to be held on the August 11 -12 in Ambunti, East Sepik Province. It was initiated by the Department of Environment and Conservation and the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF).  This year's festival, the theme is "Lukautim Bus na Wara Bilong Yumi" which calls to recognise and promote the conservation of habitats and encourage sustainable use in the Sepik. This also places emphasis to better protect the river flow and water allocations in order to safeguard habitats and people's livelihoods of the community. The Sepik  The Sepik River meanders through the mountainous highlands region and pours into the bays of the Bismarck Solomon Seas and covers a distance of approximately 1,200km. It has a total catchments cover of 70,000km2 covering four highlands provinces, three coastal provinces and parts of Indonesia. It has numerous tributaries and sub-catchments and oxbows like the Chambri Lake which is the second biggest in the country. How to get there a) Air - Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) operates from Wewak to Ambunti on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The 45 minutes flight costs K250 one way. b) Land - PMV's operate on upgraded road between Wewak and Pagwi. PMV fare is K50.00 (US$20.00) Accommodation Ambunti Lodge charges K75.00 (US$30.00) per night. Other guest houses are run by the Catholic Churc and Pacific Island Ministries and charge a reasonable price.  For More Information Contact: David Peter WWF Western Melanesia P.O. Box 8280, Boroko, National Capital District Ph: (675) 320 0149 Fax: (675) 320 0519 Email: wwfpng@wwfpacific.org.pg Robert Sine Crocodile Monitoring Officer Dept of Environment & Conservation P.O. Box 6610, Boroko, NCD Ph: (675) 325 0195 Fax: (675) 325 0182 Jerry Wana Sepik Wetland Management Initiative P.O. Box 81, Ambunti, East Sepik Province Ph: (675) 858 5132 Email: swmi@datec.net.pg Jill Bosro Help Resources Inc P.O. Box 1071, Wewak, ESP Ph: (675) 856 1615 Fax: (675) 856 1453