Description: The project focused on safeguarding Mount Panié’s natural and cultural heritage. Surrounding indigenous communities encountered environmental challenges impacting the forest ecosystem and crucial services like water and food supply. Concerns also existed regarding the potential loss of Kanak indigenous knowledge regarding biodiversity preservation. To counter these threats, the initiative prioritised integrating culture into environmental management practices. Strategies included creating a booklet detailing traditional environmental methods, translated into local languages, benefitting 154 individuals in enhancing their knowledge. Reforestation efforts were conducted across a degraded 1-hectare watershed area, engaging 40 volunteers and planting over 600 young plants encompassing 16 species – 11 forest trees and 5 endemics. Simultaneously, awareness campaigns used communication panels and workshops on video shooting and editing to underscore the intrinsic connection between culture and nature aiming to deepen comprehension across diverse audiences. These multifaceted endeavours aimed to mitigate environmental threats while highlighting the reciprocal relationship between cultural heritage and environmental conservation.
Duration: 21 months
