Managalas

Managalas Conservation Area is on the Managalas Plateau in Oro (Northern) Province and was declared in March 2017^[1]. Reported at 214,696 hectares, it is described as the largest conservation area in Papua New Guinea^[1].

The locally endemic Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly is found here^[1].

The area protects portions of several important forest types^[1].

The core of the area is the Managalas Plateau, formed by volcanic lava flows and ash fall^[1]. The area runs from near the coast in the east to the peaks of the Owen Stanley Range in the west^[1].

The area covers a wide range of elevations, from near the coast to the Owen Stanley Range^[1].

Six language groups and 152 clans are the customary owners of the land^[1].

The area was declared in March 2017 after significant community support, largely from Rainforest Foundation Norway through the local NGO Partners with Melanesians^[1].

The plateau forest and its customary communities are the area's defining features.

The nearest town is Popondetta. The sources consulted describe no visitor facilities.

The clans formed 11 Community Based Organisations, represented by the Managalas Conservation Foundation. The European Union has recently supported conservation there, with a focus on sustainable livelihoods for local communities^[1].