Timor-Leste Government Launches Boundary Markers to Protect Viqueque’s Burabo’o Forest and Irabere Watershed
The Timor-Leste government recently launched boundary markers to designate a protected area in the Viqueque municipality, specifically in the Burabo’o forest and Irabere watershed within the Uatukarbau administrative post. This initiative aims to safeguard the region’s natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems in accordance with the country’s national protected area system law (Decree-Law No. 5/2016).
The Secretary of State for Forests, Fernandino Vieira da Costa, led the launch event, emphasizing that the marked areas have been officially identified and will now be recognized as state heritage for future generations. He noted that if any community concerns arise regarding the boundaries, technical teams are available to address and clarify these issues. The boundary markers serve to clearly define which lands belong to the state, ensuring that these areas are protected in the public interest.
The process involved placing 273 markers across seven villages in the Uatukarbau and Uatulari administrative posts, covering a total protected area of 7,145 hectares. Prior to installation, the forestry department conducted community outreach to explain the importance of the protected area and the role of the markers. The Secretary of State stressed that no activities are allowed within the protected zones that violate the law, and any illegal actions will be treated as crimes under the relevant legislation.
Local authorities, including representatives from the Viqueque municipality and the Uatukarbau administrative post, expressed their support for the program. Luis António da Silva Soares, a municipal official, called on village chiefs and community leaders to cooperate with the government’s constitutional program to protect local flora and fauna. He highlighted that the boundary markers are not just physical signs but a commitment to preserving the environment for the future.
Anacleto D. Sarmento, the administrator of Uatukarbau, expressed pride in the designation of the area as protected and urged the community to avoid damaging the forest and wildlife. He encouraged collective responsibility to ensure the conservation efforts succeed.
The boundary marker launch was attended by national forestry teams, municipal officials, the Timor-Leste National Police from the Uatukarbau squad, village chiefs, and many community members. This collaborative effort reflects the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources in Timor-Leste.
For more details, see the original report by TATOLI Agência Noticiosa de Timor-Leste: Timor-Leste Government Launches Boundary Markers for Protected Area in Viqueque.