Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Lake Murray
File:Lake Murray.png
Landsat image
Location Western Province
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Primary inflows June, Boi, Bwe, Kaim, Mamboi Rivers
Primary outflows Herbert RiverStrickland RiverFly RiverGulf of Papua
Basin countries Papua New Guinea
Max. length 63 km
Max. width 18 km
Surface area 647 km²
Max. depth 10 m
Shore length1 2038 km
Surface elevation 59 m
Settlements Lake Murray
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Murray is the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. It is located in the Middle Fly District, Western Province at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found., which covers approximately 647 km² [1] and in the wet season increases to five times the size. It has a highly convoluted shoreline more than 2000 km long. The lake has been a source of nourishment for many of the local peoples. Freshwater sawfish have been caught in its shallow waters to feed the crocodiles in a farming operation.

Indigenous tribes of around 5000 people own the lake and the surrounding one million hectares of forest.[2]

Also, a cryptid known as "Murray" purportedly lives, or used to live, in the lake. This creature was described as resembling a theropod dinosaur such as Tyrannosaurus.[citation needed]. Along with the "Murray", Lake Murray is known for a large population of Peacock Bass that were introduced by Indian merchants.

Illegal logging

In 2003, logging company Concord Pacific was forced out of the area by Greenpeace and other NGO's. 100,000 hectares of ancient forest was degraded by the logging along the Kiunga-Aiambak road.[2]

Greenpeace Global Forest Rescue Station (GFRS)

Lake Murray was the site of a Greenpeace Australia Pacific Global Forest Rescue Station. Forty volunteers from 25 countries worked with the local Kuni, Begwa and Pari tribes to identify and mark land ownership.[3] The boundary marking was the precursor to a community based eco-forestry project.[4] Ecotimber has since been harvested, shipped to Australia and sold with the benefit of Forestry Stewardship Council certification.

References

  1. CSIRO PUBLISHING - Marine & Freshwater Research
  2. 2.0 2.1 [1][dead link]
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.


<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>