Raja Ampat on the Bird’s Head Peninsula of far northwestern New Guinea is often called the “crown jewel” of the region. This equatorial archipelago contains probably the world’s greatest concentration of marine biodiversity due in part to a huge network of marine protected areas covering more than 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles).

On this episode of the Mongabay Newscast, documentary filmmaker Wahyu Mul details the benefits and challenges of ecotourism for the Raja Ampat district of Indonesian Papua.

Then, longtime resident and resort owner Max Ammer details the projects of his Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Centre, which trains and employs local communities in a variety of skills while aiding visiting foreign researchers with logistics and accommodation.

Finally, veteran birder Benny Mambrasar guides the Mongabay team into the forest on Waigeo Island, where two endemic species of birds-of-paradise make an appearance.

While the recent ecotourism boom is bringing new revenue streams to local communities, vigilance is needed to preserve its invaluable ecosystems and prevent the displacement of Papuans, as the Indonesian central government pushes forward a development plan that has split the region into five new provinces, sources say.

For additional regional context, the Mongabay Explores podcast published a seven-part series on the island of New Guinea’s conservation issues, challenges and solutions in 2022. Listen to the first episode here.

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Banner image: Karst limestone formations in Piaynemo, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. These geological features are estimated to be up to 16.5 million years old. Image by Mike DiGirolamo/Mongabay.

Mike DiGirolamo is a host and associate producer for Mongabay based in Sydney. He co-hosts and edits the Mongabay Newscast. Find him on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Instagram.