Loru
Rainforest Protected Area, Santo
The
Loru Rainforest Protected Area covers 220 hectares of lowland
rainforest on the east coast of Vanuatu's largest island
of Santo. It is one of the last areas of representative
forest on the east of the island and supports a surprisingly
rich diversity of species, including a number of important
endemic and restricted range animals, trees and plants.
Bush walking and bird watching are popular visitor activities
in this conservation area. Loru hosts about 30 bird species
including 5 Vanuatu endemics. Loru also has a bat cave and
is an important refuge for coconut crabs.
Efforts
to protect the area were initiated in 1993 by the kastom
landowner, Chief Caleb Ser. The area received an official
launch from high chiefs, councillors and government officials
on 26 April 1995. Work to build an education centre began
in 1996 and was finished in 1998, when it was officially
launched as the Loru Environment Centre/Loru Nakamal Blong
Envaeromen. Loru was the winner of the Pacific Islands Community
Forests and Trees Award in 1999.
The
Loru Environment Centre is run by the village-based Loru
Protected Area Committee (LoPAC). A small visitors fee of
500 Vatu per person is charged to help sustain the protected
area. Guide fees are not set - about 1000 Vatu per day is
reasonable but you should pay more for a higher level of
service.
There
is an adventure style island bungalow at Loru.
Browse
higher resolution pictures on our Vanuatu
Protected Areas Showcase.
Last
updated: January 2005 by Stephen.
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