Book Review: Land of the Birds of Paradise

By: Mariecke van Vugt

The internet and industrial revolution have changed the world and the lives of the people living in it. Fortunately for us, some places in the world are still untouched and offer us an environment full of surprises. Tanah Papua, the easternmost region of Indonesia, is one of those places. It has the same size as Ireland and Germany combined, but counts only 3,6 million inhabitants. Tanah Papua is known for the rich biodiversity. From evergreen forests to winding rivers, and from valleys with eternal snow to savanna plains. This biodiversity is showcased in the beautiful book "Land of the birds of paradise".

The first part of the book describes the history of Tanah Papua. It covers the cultural, political, geological and natural aspects. The chapters that follow take the reader on a adventurous journey through Tanah Papua. You get to read and learn about the different species of animals, flowers and some stories of explorers who discovered the region. The biggest and, in my opinion, most important part of the book contains the story of the conservation of Tanah Papua and the work that the WWF Indonesia has done here.