The important areas that have been identified so far are hunting locations,a sago (Papuan staple food item) village, access to clean water, ancestral resting places, ancestral sites and other locations that are considered sacred, which only allow for restricted access.

'€œThe Asmat people still live traditionally in a way in which everything is connected to their ancestors. Therefore, they divide their living areas into sacred and non-sacred spaces. If we do nothing to preserve their way of life, then likely someday this unique culture will vanish,'€ WWF Sahul Papua project leader W Umbora said.

He said indigenous Asmat people had been involved in the project right from the start.

Asmat regency comprises eight districts and 175 villages with an area of 23,764 square kilometers. It is a low-lying land area with an elevation of only 0.100 meters above sea level.

The WWF previously mapped out customary land in 2006 with the help of local people in the Lorentz National Park. The Asmat regency administration officially recognized the mapped customary areas in 2008.

'€œWe Asmat people cannot be separated from our ancestral life. That is why we really need to protect our sacred areas. This mapping project will help us to remain with our ancestors, which is something we don'€™t want to lose,'€ said Bernadus Aso, a prominent Asmat figure in Sawa village, Sawa Erma district. (hrl/dic)

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