The Strickland Range: A Brief Overview
The Strickland Range is part of the Central Range, a chain of mountains that runs across the island of New Guinea. It covers an area of about 37,000 square kilometers and has an average elevation of about 1,000 meters above sea level 2. The range is mostly covered by dense rainforest, with patches of grassland and swamp in the lower valleys. The climate is tropical and humid, with high rainfall and temperature throughout the year.
The range is home to a variety of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic or endangered. For example, the range hosts several species of birds of paradise, such as the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise ( Pteridophora alberti ), the blue bird-of-paradise ( Paradisaea rudolphi ), and the lesser bird-of-paradise ( Paradisaea minor ) 3. Other notable animals include the Goodfellow’s tree-kangaroo ( Dendrolagus goodfellowi ), the Matschie’s tree-kangaroo ( D. matschiei ), the New Guinea singing dog ( Canis lupus dingo ), and the southern cassowary ( Casuarius casuarius ) 4. The range also harbors many plant species that are used by local people for food, medicine, or materials, such as pandanus, sago palm, orchids, ferns, and rattan 5.
The Strickland River: A Vital Lifeline for People and Wildlife
The Strickland River is the largest and longest tributary of the Fly River, which is one of the biggest rivers in PNG and Oceania. The Strickland River originates from the confluence of the Lagaip River and the Ok Om River in the Southern Highlands Province and flows southward for about 824 kilometers before joining the Fly River near Lake Murray 6. The river has a basin size of about 37,000 square kilometers and a discharge rate of about 3,600 cubic meters per second 7.
The river is a vital lifeline for both people and wildlife in the region. It provides water, food, transportation, and recreation for thousands of people who live along its banks or in its vicinity. The river also supports a rich biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial life, such as fish, crocodiles, turtles, birds, mammals, and plants. Some of the fish species found in the river include barramundi, catfish, eel-tailed catfish, rainbowfish, gudgeon, and archerfish 8. The river also hosts several endemic or threatened species, such as the Fly River turtle ( Carettochelys insculpta ), the pig-nosed turtle ( C. insculpta ), and the freshwater sawfish ( Pristis microdon ) 9.
The Strickland River Languages: A Rich Cultural Heritage
The Strickland River region is inhabited by various ethnic groups that speak different languages belonging to different language families. These languages are collectively known as the Strickland River languages 10. According to Ethnologue 11, there are at least 15 languages spoken in the region, which can be classified into four main groups:
- The East Strickland languages are a family of Papuan languages spoken by about 10,000 people in six languages: Fembe (Agala), Konai (Odoodee), Gobasi (Nomad), Kubo, Samo (Daba), and Doso-Turumsa.
- The Rumu-Omati languages are a family of Papuan languages spoken by about 4,000 people in two languages: Kamula and Dibiyaso.
- The Teberan languages are a family of Papuan languages spoken by about 3,000 people in two languages: Tabo and Pawaia.
- The Kutubuan languages are a family of Papuan languages spoken by about 2,000 people in two languages: Foe and Fasu.
The Strickland River languages are a rich cultural heritage that reflects the history, identity, and diversity of the people in the region. They also contain valuable knowledge and wisdom about the natural environment, social relations, and traditional practices. However, some of these languages are endangered or vulnerable due to factors such as language shift, urbanization, education, and globalization. Therefore, there is a need to document, revitalize, and promote these languages for the benefit of the present and future generations.
The Strickland Range: Challenges and Opportunities for Development
The Strickland Range region faces several challenges and opportunities for development in the 21st century. Some of the main challenges include:
- Environmental degradation: The region is threatened by various forms of environmental degradation, such as deforestation, land degradation, soil erosion, water pollution, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. Some of the main causes of environmental degradation include logging, mining, oil palm plantations, road construction, agriculture, hunting, and population growth 12. These activities not only affect the natural resources and ecosystems of the region, but also the livelihoods and well-being of the local people.
- Poverty and inequality: The region suffers from high levels of poverty and inequality, as well as low levels of human development. According to the PNG National Statistical Office 13, the Western Province has the highest poverty incidence (39.3%) and the lowest human development index (0.293) among all provinces in PNG. The Southern Highlands Province also has a high poverty incidence (37.5%) and a low human development index (0.346). Some of the main factors contributing to poverty and inequality include lack of access to basic services, such as health, education, water, sanitation, and electricity; lack of economic opportunities and income sources; lack of infrastructure and transportation; lack of governance and security; and lack of participation and empowerment.
- Social and cultural change: The region is undergoing rapid social and cultural change due to various factors such as modernization, globalization, urbanization, migration, education, media, religion, and politics. These factors have both positive and negative impacts on the social and cultural aspects of the region, such as values, norms, beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, identities, relationships, and conflicts. Some of the positive impacts include increased awareness, knowledge, communication, mobility, diversity, tolerance, and innovation. Some of the negative impacts include loss of culture, language, identity, cohesion, solidarity, morality, and harmony.
Some of the main opportunities for development include:
- Natural resources: The region has abundant natural resources that can be used for sustainable development. These include land, water, forest, wildlife, minerals, oil, gas, and renewable energy sources. These resources can provide income, employment, food, medicine, materials, and energy for the local people, as well as contribute to the national economy and development goals. However, these resources need to be managed wisely and responsibly to avoid overexploitation and environmental damage.
- Cultural diversity: The region has a rich cultural diversity that can be used for sustainable development. This includes diverse languages, ethnicities, religions, arts, crafts, music, dances, stories, rituals, festivals, and knowledge systems. These cultural assets can provide identity, pride, heritage, education, entertainment, tourism and innovation for the local people and visitors alike. However these cultural assets need to be preserved and promoted to avoid loss and erosion.
- Human capital: The region has a large human capital that can be used for sustainable development. This includes a young and growing population that can provide labor and leadership for various sectors and activities. This also includes a skilled and educated workforce that can provide expertise and innovation for various fields and challenges. However this human capital needs to be nurtured and empowered to avoid unemployment and underdevelopment.
The Strickland Range: A Destination for Adventure Seekers
The Strickland Range region offers a unique destination for adventure seekers who want to explore one of the most remote and pristine areas in PNG and Oceania. The region offers a variety of attractions and activities for different types of travelers and adventurers. Some of these include:
- Trekking: The region offers many opportunities for trekking through its rugged terrain and scenic landscapes. Some of the popular trekking routes include the Strickland River Track 14, which follows the course of the river from its source to its mouth; the Mount Bosavi Track , which leads to the summit of the extinct volcano that is home to a unique crater lake and wildlife; and the Mount Sisa Track, which leads to the highest peak in the range and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- Rafting: The region offers many opportunities for rafting through its fast-flowing rivers and rapids. Some of the popular rafting routes include the Strickland River Rafting , which covers about 500 kilometers of the river from its upper reaches to its lower delta; the Ok Om River Rafting , which covers about 300 kilometers of the river from its source to its confluence with the Strickland River; and the Lagaip River Rafting , which covers about 200 kilometers of the river from its source to its confluence with the Ok Om River.
- Wildlife watching: The region offers many opportunities for wildlife watching through its diverse habitats and species. Some of the popular wildlife watching sites include the Lake Kutubu Wildlife Management Area , which is a Ramsar site that hosts many endemic and endangered birds, fish, and plants; the Mount Bosavi Crater , which is a biodiversity hotspot that hosts many endemic and endangered mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects; and the Strickland Gorge , which is a scenic spot that hosts many crocodiles, turtles, and fish.
- Cultural immersion: The region offers many opportunities for cultural immersion through its diverse ethnic groups and languages. Some of the popular cultural immersion activities include visiting local villages and communities, learning about their history, traditions, customs, and beliefs; participating in local festivals and ceremonies, such as the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival , which celebrates the culture and environment of the Kutubu people; and experiencing local arts and crafts, such as weaving, carving, painting, and music.
The Strickland Range region is a destination for adventure seekers who want to experience a different side of PNG and Oceania. It is a place where nature, culture, and adventure meet in harmony. However, it is also a place that needs protection, conservation, and development. Therefore, travelers who visit the region should respect its environment, people, and culture, and contribute to its sustainability and well-being.
References:
: https://www.britannica.com/place/Strickland-River : https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/aa0105 : https://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=24094 : https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=strickland%20range&searchType=species : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228644800_The_Ethnobotany_of_the_Bosavi_People_Southern_Highlands_Province_Papua_New_Guinea : https://www.britannica.com/place/Fly-River : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228646140_The_Fly_River_Western_Province_Papua_New_Guinea_Environmental_Studies_in_an_Impacted_Tropical_River_System : https://www.fishbase.se/trophiceco/FishEcoList.php?ve_code=42 : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228646140_The_Fly_River_Western_Province_Papua_New_Guinea_Environmental_Studies_in_an_Impacted_Tropical_River_System : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strickland_River_languages : https://www.ethnologue.com/subgroups/strickland-river : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228646140_The_Fly_River_Western_Province_Papua_New_Guinea_Environmental_Studies_in_an_Impacted_Tropical_River_System : https://www.nso.gov.pg/index.php/population-and-social/other-indicators : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea/western-province/activities/strickland-river-track/a/poi-act/1526816/362942 : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea/western-province/activities/strickland-river-rafting/a/poi-act/1526817/362942 : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea/southern-highlands-province/activities/ok-om-river-rafting/a/poi-act/1526818/362943 : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea/southern-highlands-province/activities/lagaip-river-rafting/a/poi-act/1526819/362943 : https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1018 : https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-11137903 : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea/western-province/activities/strickland-gorge/a/poi-act/1526820/362942 : https://www.papuanewguinea.travel/events/kutubu-kundu-digaso-festival : https://www.google.com/maps/place/Strickland+Range,+Papua+New+Guinea/@-6.1408333,142.8333333,8z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6a9f1c7c5b2a4f8d:0x2e7b8c1f2a9e7a6!8m2!3d-6.1408333!4d142.8333333