Abstract
This study explores the present situation of a rural community ecotourism development initiative in Madang Province of Papua New Guinea. The Wasab ecotourism community development project, as is known, currently involves joint efforts from three rural villages that share common land boundaries to counteract damages caused to the rainforest lands by logging operations between 1985 and 1987. The undertaking of ecotourism activities here actually started in 1996, with the subsequent launching of this initiative in 1998, coinciding with the inception of its five-year development plan, aimed at achieving conservation of the remaining rainforests and sustainable socio-economic development; on the whole, an improved quality of life at these rural villages was aspired for. Thus far, the locals have endeavoured rigorously to achieve these goals. This study, through field surveys conducted between 2002 and 2003, explored overwhelming evidences of benefits accrued, including community asset developments in spite of various constraints faced with.
