Department of Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) was established in 1985. Its mission (approved by the National Executive Council on 22 August 1989) is to ensure natural and physical resources are managed to sustain environmental quality and human well-being.

The key legislations administered by the Department are:

Environmental Planning Act 1978

Environmental Contaminants Act 1978

Conservation Areas Act 1978

National Parks Act 1982

International Trade (Fauna & Flora) Act 1979

Fauna (Protection and Control) Act 1966

Crocodile Trade (Protection) Act 1974

Water Resources Act 1982

It also has an important role under the Forests Act 1992.

The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) was established in 1993 under the 1991 Forestry Act replacing the former Department of Forest, and unifying all Provincial Forest Divisions and the Forest Industries Council. The PNGFA has 19 provincial offices which include five regional offices. The PNGFA mission statement is to: Promote the management and wise utilization of the forest resources of Papua New Guinea as a renewable asset for the well- being of present and future generations.

PNGFA Group has been created to facilitate sharing of useful data / information that could feed into SOE, MEA and SDG Reports.

WWF South Pacific Prgramme, PNG Melanesian Program