Stepping Lightly: The World’s Truly Hidden Sustainable Destinations
Explore five of the world's most remote and authentic sustainable destinations, from the Arfak Mountains to the Isle of Eigg, where community-based tourism directly funds conservation and cultural preservation.
The Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia: Birdwatching that Saves the Forest
If you want remote, you go here. The Arfak Mountains are way out in the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea. The communities, primarily the Hatam-speaking people, are incredibly isolated—you're not going to find public transport, reliable electricity, or Wi-Fi here.
The "Cool" Factor: This region is home to some of the world's most spectacular and endemic Birds of Paradise.
The Sustainability Model: Local families realized that a live Bird of Paradise was worth far more than a dead one or a felled tree. They now run community-based tourism (CBT), which is simple but profound: they host small groups of serious birdwatchers in their villages and guide them to hides to view the birds. This specialized, high-value, low-impact tourism is often the primary source of income, providing a direct, economic reason for the community to fight back against illegal logging and protect the montane forest. Your visit literally ensures the survival of one of the world's last great wildernesses.
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