'Limbiye' - Unique Hoop Pines of Mt. Giluwe

The natural beauty of Mt. Giluwe is threatened by downscale loggers and even by major logging companies previously. The northern face of Mt. Giluwe houses one of the rarest species of hoop pine trees found only here in Papua New Guinea. These trees are chopped down for their bark by locals to use in walls in traditional houses. Nowadays they are even being logged for wood for sale and this tree is facing extinct. No locals has ever been able to nurture this trees successfully. A sample of this tree is in the forest laboratory at the Lae University of Technology but methods of nurturing the tree has not been taught to the locals in the Upper Mendi area. I believe this wood requires further scientific research for conservation.

I need helpful comments from anyone who can help me find ways of conserving this pines.

Dr. Taiye Pendene

Mt. Giluwe is the second highest mountain in Papua New Guinea with 4368 meters (14,331 ft), Mt. Wilhelm being the highest. It is located in the Southern Highlands Province and is an old shield volcano with vast alpine grasslands. Ancient volcanic plugs form its two summits with the central peak the highest and a east peak about 2 kilometes (1.2 miles) at 4300 meters (14, 108ft). Giluwe has the distinction of being the highest volcano on the Australian continent and is thus one of the Volcanic Seven Summits.

History

Australian explorers Mike Leahy, and his brother Dan, were the first Westerners to reach the area and to discover and climb Mt. Giluwe. However, another explorer Jack Hides also laid claim to be the first to discover Mt. Giluwe after viewing the peaks from the west in 1935. Hides aptly named them the Minaret Mountains. However, the name did not stay after Leahy went to London in 1935 and set up a hearing into the two opposing claims at the Royal Geographical Society.

Dr. Taiye Pendene

Mount Giluwe Adventures

I have created this blog in order to introduce Mt. Giluwe which is the second highest peak in PNG. It is only second to Mount Wilhelm in PNG. However, I believe that Mount Giluwe offers more than just a high peak. Mount Giluwe is actually a world of its own as it is panoramic and scenic in that the top consists of its own topography and plant life.

As time goes by I will be adding posts to the site to introduce you to what you can expect to see when you make you visit to this wonderful natural site.

Thank you



Dr. Taiye Pendene