by Mickey Kavera – EM TV, Port Moresby
Managing a national park is not an easy task but one man has been doing just that all by himself for 25 years.
Kisea Tiube is the acting ranger who has committed his life to ensuring Variratta National Park is preserved and conserved for generations.
There have been many ambitious plans to transform the park but very little action has been taken.
Kisea Tiube is the lone ranger that has lived his life caring for this treasure: The Variratta National Park.
It is PNG’s first national park, opened in 1973 by Sir Albert Maori Kiki.
Kisea did not intend to be a ranger; he was initially a driver. After park rangers declined in numbers and interest in the position dwindled, however, Kisea became the likely candidate for the job.
The last park ranger left in 2002.
It is a mammoth task, given the massive land area, but he has managed to do it all by himself. He has watched this national treasure deteriorate before his eyes. The house he lives in, which was once training quarters for rangers, is also in a poor state.
Though very little attention has been given to the park, Kisea feels he has an obligation to protect Variratta for future generations.
He still believes there is a glimmer of hope to bring the park back to its former glory. While he awaits for the many ambitious plans to come to fruition, Kisea will remain the lone ranger committed to his cause.
