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UOG LINKS UP WITH ANOTHER VILLAGE-COMMUNITY TO SAVE HISTORIC COLLECTION OF RARE AND EXOTIC PLANTS
Story by Makalai-bell Mathuru
A burning desire and question that lingers in any community living-off the fringes of an institution of higher learning would be “How will this university help us link up and benefit from its high level research and knowledge?
The University of Goroka’s answer to the question of how universities can best respond to community needs and link-up to extend its research knowledge was led its Centre for Natural Resources Research Development [CNRRD] in June this year. The story of the 11th hour salvage of historic photographic records and documented data of the collection of two rare and exotic wild high altitude plant species is a successful university research and community-link that’s worth telling.
It was a timely gesture by the fledging science research center manned by only three staff – two lecturers and a technical officer – as the world registered treasure flora sanctuary which was once a prime-visitors site was being indiscriminately vandalized and the entire collection facing inevitable extinction.
Many visitors to Eastern Highlands would have either seen or heard about the Mt Gahavisuka Provincial Park perched on one of the northern pristine forest peaks quite visible from Goroka town on a clear day. However not many would have realized the significance and value of a small-run down cottage at the main stop-over and look-out at Mt Gahavisuka.
Rare plants turn a Priest into a world-renown Botanist
That small hut itself was an historic one as it was built by frail-hunched priest into a provincial treasure and a national asset. In the mid eighties, the official opening and naming of the sanctuary was given a grand ovation by provincial leaders and the media. Fr Norman Cruttwell’s dream had been finally realized on that bright sunny day. He built up and hid away a treasure that consists of slides, paintings, drawings, letters and scientific notes. His hobby involved extensive research and documentation of two of the most sought after native plant species – wild high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. He planted a large area of the Mt Gahavisuka peak with the rare and exotic plants and cut tissue and collected seeds to form his collection and named it – Lipizauga Botanical Sanctuary and Mt Gahavisuka getting provincial park status and International fame at that same day. Fr Crutwell’s name became synonymous with rare orchids and exotic rhododendrons. His collection gave new knowledge to the world a fitting reward for forty years of his life in PNG from which he became one of the most knowledgeable botanists.
The Sanctuary is a registered member of the international Kew based Botanical Gardens Conservation Secretariat under IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). The land had been leased for 50 years by the landowners of Nagamiza village.
After Norman Cruttwells unfortunate departure in the early nineties due to his failing health, the Park deteriorated year by year. Parts of his collections were still stored in one of the two wooden cabins in the center of the Park. Due to the complete absence of a caretaker the inevitable happened when vandals broke the locks and completely devastated the interior of the buildings.
UoG’s CNRRD salvages collection
When the University of Goroka received word about the destruction, it’s Head of Science Dr Roland Treu initiated a salvage operation by the Center for Natural Resources Rsearch and Development [CNRRD]. The Team got approval from the Vice Chancellor and the provincial government authorities to recover the collection and liaised with the people of Nagamiza. On June 24, 2003 Anson Barish, Dr Jeyarathan and Roland Treu, together with Mr Charles Pepe for the landowners organized some aides, drove up into the Park to pick up what was left after years of appalling neglect. CNRRD at the University of Goroka is now the temporary home of a provincial and national asset
The UFO Collection
While the collection is invaluable in a scientific sense, it also contains items of some importance to local history. The late Mr. Cruttwell’s versatility is certainly demonstrated by the fact that he avidly collected reports and newspaper clippings about UFO sightings in Papua New Guinea. Many items of the collection have become moldy over the years.
CNRRD is now progressing to secure funds for the purchase of a high quality scanner for the illustrations and to photocopy the written material. Apparently Mr Cruttwell transferred a good deal of his collections to Kew Gardens in London before his departure. CNRRD will be contacting and liaising with Kew to find out about the extent of their holdings from Mt. Gahavisuka. It plans to catalogue the collection with the aid of one or two research students from the Science Faculty. The new University library may be the new and right place to store and display some of the drawings and paintings.
Mt Gahavisuka Look Out
Meanwhile, UoG’s CNRRD’s efforts has led to a new hope for the Provincial Park with Governor Mal Smith-Kela just approved the establishment of a Board of Trustees that will look into the rejuvenating and managing the Mt Gahavisuka Provincial Park.
A final note:
Following his wishes, Mr. Cruttwell’s ashes were brought back from England and are buried in his beloved Park. Visitors may find a grave marker that indicates the location.
Ends…….
Story by Makalai-bell Mathuru
A burning desire and question that lingers in any community living-off the fringes of an institution of higher learning would be “How will this university help us link up and benefit from its high level research and knowledge?
The University of Goroka’s answer to the question of how universities can best respond to community needs and link-up to extend its research knowledge was led its Centre for Natural Resources Research Development [CNRRD] in June this year. The story of the 11th hour salvage of historic photographic records and documented data of the collection of two rare and exotic wild high altitude plant species is a successful university research and community-link that’s worth telling.
It was a timely gesture by the fledging science research center manned by only three staff – two lecturers and a technical officer – as the world registered treasure flora sanctuary which was once a prime-visitors site was being indiscriminately vandalized and the entire collection facing inevitable extinction.
Many visitors to Eastern Highlands would have either seen or heard about the Mt Gahavisuka Provincial Park perched on one of the northern pristine forest peaks quite visible from Goroka town on a clear day. However not many would have realized the significance and value of a small-run down cottage at the main stop-over and look-out at Mt Gahavisuka.
Rare plants turn a Priest into a world-renown Botanist
That small hut itself was an historic one as it was built by frail-hunched priest into a provincial treasure and a national asset. In the mid eighties, the official opening and naming of the sanctuary was given a grand ovation by provincial leaders and the media. Fr Norman Cruttwell’s dream had been finally realized on that bright sunny day. He built up and hid away a treasure that consists of slides, paintings, drawings, letters and scientific notes. His hobby involved extensive research and documentation of two of the most sought after native plant species – wild high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. He planted a large area of the Mt Gahavisuka peak with the rare and exotic plants and cut tissue and collected seeds to form his collection and named it – Lipizauga Botanical Sanctuary and Mt Gahavisuka getting provincial park status and International fame at that same day. Fr Crutwell’s name became synonymous with rare orchids and exotic rhododendrons. His collection gave new knowledge to the world a fitting reward for forty years of his life in PNG from which he became one of the most knowledgeable botanists.
The Sanctuary is a registered member of the international Kew based Botanical Gardens Conservation Secretariat under IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). The land had been leased for 50 years by the landowners of Nagamiza village.
After Norman Cruttwells unfortunate departure in the early nineties due to his failing health, the Park deteriorated year by year. Parts of his collections were still stored in one of the two wooden cabins in the center of the Park. Due to the complete absence of a caretaker the inevitable happened when vandals broke the locks and completely devastated the interior of the buildings.
UoG’s CNRRD salvages collection
When the University of Goroka received word about the destruction, it’s Head of Science Dr Roland Treu initiated a salvage operation by the Center for Natural Resources Rsearch and Development [CNRRD]. The Team got approval from the Vice Chancellor and the provincial government authorities to recover the collection and liaised with the people of Nagamiza. On June 24, 2003 Anson Barish, Dr Jeyarathan and Roland Treu, together with Mr Charles Pepe for the landowners organized some aides, drove up into the Park to pick up what was left after years of appalling neglect. CNRRD at the University of Goroka is now the temporary home of a provincial and national asset
The UFO Collection
While the collection is invaluable in a scientific sense, it also contains items of some importance to local history. The late Mr. Cruttwell’s versatility is certainly demonstrated by the fact that he avidly collected reports and newspaper clippings about UFO sightings in Papua New Guinea. Many items of the collection have become moldy over the years.
CNRRD is now progressing to secure funds for the purchase of a high quality scanner for the illustrations and to photocopy the written material. Apparently Mr Cruttwell transferred a good deal of his collections to Kew Gardens in London before his departure. CNRRD will be contacting and liaising with Kew to find out about the extent of their holdings from Mt. Gahavisuka. It plans to catalogue the collection with the aid of one or two research students from the Science Faculty. The new University library may be the new and right place to store and display some of the drawings and paintings.
Mt Gahavisuka Look Out
Meanwhile, UoG’s CNRRD’s efforts has led to a new hope for the Provincial Park with Governor Mal Smith-Kela just approved the establishment of a Board of Trustees that will look into the rejuvenating and managing the Mt Gahavisuka Provincial Park.
A final note:
Following his wishes, Mr. Cruttwell’s ashes were brought back from England and are buried in his beloved Park. Visitors may find a grave marker that indicates the location.
Ends…….