The energy needs of MANS from readily available natural resources are constantly increasing. This need has attracted large numbers of scientists, engineers, technicians and workers to a somewhat unknown part of the world: the Purari Basin in Papua New Guinea. There are large rainforests and an abundance of unsightly water bodies from many mountain river systems, which are an important supply source that humans have yet to virtually explore.
It is hoped that these resources can be used to generate electricity with as little pollution as possible. It is believed to be a boon for the people, for economic growth and for the general advancement of a rapidly developing country.
However, Papua New Guinea just might be a name for you. Or maybe you think of it as a secluded, secluded place. Like? Where is this Purari river? And what changes would a huge hydropower system bring to this exciting country? Come with me and see for yourself.
Rugged mountains and river systems
Papua New Guinea is the eastern part of mainland New Guinea, the world's largest island after Greenland. It is located in the north of Australia. With many islands and archipelagos, this section of 600 islands represents the eastern end of the Great Arch of Mountain Bay, which stretches across the Himalayas and Malaysia to the Pacific. It includes some of the steepest and most dangerous mountain areas in the world. These areas are often quite high, with many peaks over 4000 meters. Here we find steep gorges, picturesque valleys and noisy waterfalls. It really is a truly unique and interesting country.
The sources of the Purari River here come from the mountainous regions of Papua New Guinea's highest peak, the mountain. Wilhelm. When these mountainous river systems leave the high altitudes, they form the main river, the Purari River. It makes its way through tropical forests and swamps along the Gulf of Papua, and eventually its slow, muddy waters flow into the Coral Sea.
The people of this diverse tropical country are as interesting as the scenery.
Hill tribe and coast dwellers
The original inhabitants of Papua New Guinea lived on the land around them. They were hunters and gatherers. Over time, people began to get acquainted with gardening and growing plants. Today, an almost self-sufficient economy has established itself. Plants common in the tropics (taro, yam, banana, sugar cane, breadfruit, sago palm and coconut) constitute the bulk of the diet. Many pigs, dogs and chickens are still present.
People live along coastal strips and sometimes on densely forested islands or jungle-covered areas and in rigid mountainous regions. Typically, they live in isolation from each other and have retained different customs and traditions as well as 700+ languages and dialects. People have long been divided into groups and clans, and often live in villages by rivers or in remote villages on the banks of rain-fed mountains. However, humans share two invaluable friends: the water of the river and the natural forests of the earth, as different as they are in tribe, clan, customs and languages. Plant life varies in its kind, from lowland swamps and forests in the coastal plain to moss and alpine vegetation. River water is an important necessity. For the hunter, the forest means birds and animals to feed, the fur and bright plumage for personal decoration.
In the clearings near their villages and towns, people plant their gardens. Wood is extracted from the forest for carving wood, garden tools, spears, bows and arrows, clubs and many other weapons of war and hunting. In addition, the forest provides fuel, bark and fiber for clothing. It provides wood for the houses, straw for the roofs and materials for the walls. Bridges and bamboo pipes span rivers and ravines. The inhabitants of the coast also observe the forest. With their materials, they model their canoes, their fishing nets and their traps. The forest provides the fiber needed to build its large wooden vessels. In the huge swamp surrounding the Purari River, the wooden canoe is practically the only means of transport, as these people do not use bicycles or pack animals. Yes, the forest is really your friend.
Abundant timber resources
Now we are approaching the picturesque coast that comes from the Coral Sea. We are greeted by groups of coconut palms stranded along the beaches on both sides of the Purari estuary. Slowly upwards we reach the swamp where the mangroves are. Then there are grassy swamps and palm swamps, where people can still find the crocodile.
We left the swamps behind and into the lush tropical forests on the plains. They are usually layered, with many tall trees forming a shady canopy, much like a large umbrella for palm tree forest, vines and firewood. It is expected that from these practically intact forests it will be possible to obtain the necessary wood for the construction of dams, power plants, workers' houses, etc.
We continue our journey upwards and approach the inner mountains. Here Purari looks like a steep mountain stream with some dangerous rapids and waterfalls. At altitudes above 1000 meters, tropical forests give way to low forests, where the trees usually do not have the large umbrella-shaped canopy above. This forest is dominated by trees of the oak family. In some areas, we noted the presence of Klinki pine, which is native to Papua New Guinea. Some of them are 85 meters high and 2 meters in diameter.
At more than 2100 meters, the low mountain forest usually gives way to the mountain forest. It extends to an altitude of about 3350 meters and is usually dominated by a book variety called Nothofagus. Here we find a lot of conifers, a cone. At higher altitudes, the forest is a bit confused and covered with moss. To see is also a giant panda, a threaded jaw. Near the sources of the many mountain streams, the alpine flora is generally limited to grass buds, ferns and shrubs. We have reached the end of our journey upwards. In front of us is the rocky peak of the mountain. Wilhelm.
In addition to the forests in the Purari river region, we find extensive meadows, both in the high valleys and in the lowland regions. This meadow was dominated by an herb called kunai and was created by the often used fire to clear gardens and keep animals out of sight when humans hunted.
Large water resources
As the altitude in the pool area varies from sea level to almost 4700 meters, the climate varies greatly. They range from hot and humid in the delta and low-lying regions to cold with occasional frosts and rare snowfalls on the higher peaks. Papua New Guinea has no identifiable summer or winter period, only "wet" and "dry" periods. These are due to the two dominant seasons, the northwest monsoons from December to May and southeast trade winds from May to December.
On average, the average annual rainfall in the basin is 370 centimeters. With its high proportion of uneven landscapes and heavy rainfall, the Purari catchment area has significant hydropower. The river systems that make up the main river come down from the highlands through steep and narrow ravines, so the location of dams is a common feature. The potential for water development in this basin is really huge. While the need for large amounts of electricity may not last long, the existence of such great potential in a rapidly developing region is encouraging for designers.
What the future can bring
As scientists, technicians and workers strive to complete this engineering project with dams, tunnels, power plants and transmission lines, there will be permanent and profound changes not only at the site. but also for most people. Life in the Purari catchment area. It will be a modern human awakening in the 20th century. The first effects will be associated with the flooding of houses and land. People have to be relocated. In areas covered by water, a unique natural environment is lost which is of value to both the inhabitants and the tropical ecosystem. Researchers, economists, environmentalists and others must carry out in-depth studies to ensure the continued development of this region.
Government. The authorities are already impatiently awaiting the promising economic benefits of this project. Large timber industries can be created using access roads to dam sites. Hardwood is readily available here and enables the production of plywood, veneer, sawnwood, and cellulosic lumber, to name just a few of the products produced by these industries. The timber industry in Papua New Guinea offers exciting future opportunities and is already facing rapid growth and diversified expansion. The descendants of the forest dwellers quickly turn into skilled workers. There are also large areas suitable for irrigation. We can therefore expect a development of the agricultural and food sector. With the electrification of rural areas and the development of hydropower, the potential for industrial development seems great.
Don't forget the popular tourist industry. Tourism has already started well in this country. In addition to the beautiful landscape, there are several attractions for nature and wildlife. Well-organized craftsmanship also adds to the unique tropical atmosphere of this country.
In the past, the Purari “befriended” the people of Papua New Guinea. The lush forests of their homes on the island have also served them well. But only time will tell to what extent modern man will have the country's waters and forests as his "friends."
