The Coconut Revolution
Asia - Indonesia

Raising West Papua.

Adocumentary about the fight of the people of Bougainville against New Guinea and imperialistic mining corporations that only want to exploit Bougainville and its people leaving the environment of the island totally devastated. I wish I could help these outstanding people in the fight for their culture and nature anyhow! This is the modern-day story of a native peoples' remarkable victory over Western Colonial power. A Pacific island rose up in arms against giant mining corporation Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) - and won despite a military occupation and blockade. When RTZ decided to step up production at the Panguna Mine on the island of Bougainville, they got more than they bargained for. The island's people had enough of seeing their environment ruined and being treated as pawns by RTZ. RTZ refused to compensate them, so the people decided it was time to put an end to outside interference in the island's affairs. To do this they forcibly closed down the mine. The Papua New Guinea Army (PNGDF) were mobilised in an attempt to put down the rebellion. The newly formed Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) began the fight with bows & arrows, and sticks & stones. Against a heavily armed adversary they still managed to retain control of most of their island. Realising they were beaten on the ground, the PNGDF imposed a gunboat blockade around Bougainville, in an attempt to strangle the BRA into submission. But the blockade seemed to of had little or no effect. With no shipments getting in or out of the island, how did new electricity networks spring up in BRA held territory? How were BRA troops able to drive around the island without any source of petrol or diesel? What was happening within the blockade was an environmental and spiritual revolution. The ruins of the old Panguna mine where being recycled to supply the raw materials for the world's first eco-revolution.

About Papua.

Map Papua
Map Papua
Papua, easternmost province of Indonesia, occupying the western half of the island of New Guinea. The province became part of Indonesia in 1969. It was known as Irian Jaya (Victorious Irian) from 1973 to 2002, when it changed its name to Papua. Papua is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the Ceram Sea and the Banda Sea, on the south by the Arafura Sea, and on the east by the country of Papua New Guinea, which occupies the eastern half of New Guinea. The province has an area of 421,981 sq km (162,928 sq mi), more than one-fifth of Indonesia's total land area.

Papua lies south of the equator and is predominantly mountainous. The Maoke Mountains run from west to east and contain the province's highest peak, Puncak Jaya (5,030 m/16,503 ft), which is also the highest peak in Indonesia. The second highest peak in the province is Puncak Trikora at 4,750 m (15,584 ft). Rivers in the province include the Baliem, Mamberamo, Taritatu, and the Tariku. The climate of Papua is tropical and wet, although a relatively dry period occurs between June and August. Precipitation totals as much as 5,500 mm (200 in) annually. The mountain peaks are snow-capped throughout the year.

Local
Local
Papua is a naturalist's paradise. The range of habitats includes alpine, heath, swamp, marsh, and several types of forests. Dense rain forest north of the mountains gives way to pine forests in the higher elevations. The mountains' southern fringe is bordered by extensive mangrove swamps and tidal forests. About 60 percent of Papua is forested. The different habitats support an immense variety of plant life, with many species unique to New Guinea. The island is home to nearly 3,000 species of orchid. Other unusual plants include the pitcher plant, the giant anthouse plant, the sago palm, the screw pine, ferns, and rattan. Animal life in the province includes many species of marsupials, such as tree kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, opossums, and cuscuses; flying foxes; and monotremes. Crocodiles, snakes, and lizards inhabit coastal areas. There are more than 200 species of frogs and as many as 100,000 species of insects, including many beetles and spiders. Papua is especially noted for its flying fauna. Birdwing butterflies are found in many areas, and more than 600 species of birds have been identified, including the brush turkey, the bowerbird, the cassowary, and the spectacular bird of paradise.

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Maza is born in the Netherlands about 40 years ago and has studied economics in the 90's. He is very much a travel buff. He has also a hughe intrest in science and astronomy. At the moment he is working for the local municipality. If you like you can contact him at info @ mazalien.com.© Mazalien 1999 - 2008

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