Papua New Guinea, An Archipelago Nation under environmental stress.

Abstract

Papua New Guinea (PNG), an archipelagic nation with abundant natural resources and comparatively pristine environment is under threat. A major force behind this threat appears to be the socio-economic transformation produced by development. The economic and human activities of mining, logging and slash and burn agriculture are increasingly having a deleterious effect on the natural environment. The challenge facing the country is how to achieve the required social and economic development while ensuring at the same time that the natural resources are utilized and managed sustainably and the environment is protected. The paper highlights the threats to sustainable development and how to bring about desirable changes for sound management of resources and the environment.