Bagabag (Papua New Guinea)

Bagabag (deprecated also Wagwag, Richmond Island, Sir Robert Rich island) is a volcanic island in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea. It is located 62 km north-east of Madang town and can be reached in a half to two and a half hours by motorboat.

The volcano is no longer active, unlike the volcanoes of the neighboring islands still Karkar and Manam. Capital of the island is Badilu. There are on the island, a health center and primary schools but no high school. The health station is powered on Karkar from Gaubin Hospital with.

Population

The population of Bagabag speaks spoken on Karkar Austronesian language Takia. There are also Gedaged - speaking.

The majority of residents living in close proximity to the coast, which is now cultivated almost continuously. Unlike on the neighboring island of Karkar there are no commercial plantations on Bagabag. Main crops and basic food is bananas.

The majority of the population belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. There are also several smaller Christian groups. Locally there are still some cases of slight leprosy, a disease that otherwise barely exists in Papua New Guinea.

Management

Bagabag is as much as the larger neighboring island of Karkar to Sumkar District of Madang Province.

Sea

The reefs of the island are very rich in species. For fishermen and sports fishermen themselves offers a rich selection. For the locals fishing is also an important food source. However, surrounding the island currents make diving a challenge.

Nature

Most birds, bats and mammals can also be found on the adjacent mainland and neighboring islands. So, which is home naked eye pigeon occurs on a variety of adjacent islands. There are feral pigs, which are regularly pushed and chased by systematic burning of pastures into a corner.

Transport and Tourism

Bagabag is hardly touched by tourism. However, there is the possibility to book accommodation through the Tourist Office in Madang. On occasion, there guided tours take to the extinct volcanic crater. There is no aircraft landing strip. The island is approached weekly by small transport ships. By motorboat the larger neighboring island of Karkar is easily accessible. From there, there are better transport links.