Cyclops Mountain Strict Nature Reserve

CYCLOPS MOUNTAINS STRICT NATURE RESERVE

The Cyclops Mountains Strict Nature Reserve, an isolated coastal mountain block, towers over the provincial capital of Jayapura. It contains many endemic mountainous elements among the 273 species of birds and 86 mammals known or expected in the reserve. Because of its location, the reserve suffers from ladang encroachment along its southern slopes, hunting pressure, wood and orchid gathering and expansion of the Jayapura, Abepura and Sentani settlements. It is also overlapped by a mineral exploration concession and although prospecting for nickel has been suspended, there has been new activity along the north coast to survey marble resources.

The reserve is well situated for the development of a training facility for conservation officers, as well as for a small game park and nature trails for the benefit of the public, particularly university and high school students. Although the area was gazette in 1978 (22,500 ha), the boundary has been revised to include 36,800 ha, and a system of management zones has been delineated and mapped in consultation with local residents in the reserve surround (Ratcliffe, 1985). This management plan was the first to be completed for any protected areas in Irian Jaya. Implementation of the plan was initiated in 1986 and is continuing in a cooperative effort between the Ford Foundation, WWF, PKA and the Ministry of Forestry and Estate Crops, and YPMD (Village Community Development Foundation) and is focused on social forestry techniques and community participation in stabilizing reserve boundaries.

Quoted from Petocz, R.G. 1987. Conservation and Development in Irian Jaya.