Wasur National Park. 16/03/06; Irian Jaya; 413,810 hectares; 08°38'S 140°23'E. National Park. A low-lying wetland in the monsoon climate zone of southern New Guinea, with intertidal mudflats and coastal mangroves with extensive seasonally inundated grasslands, reed swamps, savannahs, and monsoon forest. The site is the habitat for a number of rare and endemic species, including the Fly River Grassbird (Megalurus albolimbatus) and Grey-crowned Munia (Lonchura nevermanni).Tens of thousands of waterbirds visit the region during migration between eastern Siberia and northern Australia. The topography is exceptionally flat, with little natural drainage in large parts of the reserve. Land use is chiefly subsistence farming by small local communities of four groups of autochthonous peoples, and the area contains many sites of spiritual significance and archaeological importance. Poaching and alien invasive species like water hyacinth and mimosa pigra, as well as population pressures from the nearby town of Merauke, are seen as the greatest threats. Ecotourism infrastructure is being developed to accommodate international as well as local tourists, to benefit local communities. The site is contiguous with the Tonda Wildlife Management Area Ramsar site in Papua New Guinea. Ramsar site no. 1624. Most recent RIS information: 2006.

Fecha de última publicación: 16-03-2006