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Conservationists in Melanesia mourn death of colleague

Posted on 26 March 2008

Henri Blaffart, talented conservationist of New Caledonia

Conservationists in the Melanesia area are mourning the death of Belgian-born botanist Henri Blaffart, swept away in by a flooded river in northern New Caledonia on March 21.

“Henri Blaffart was an exceptional man, and an remarkably effective wildlife and wildlands conservation professional,” said WWF New Caledonia Country Programme Director Ahab Downer, who survived the river crossing.

Blaffart, 42, had worked in Africa, Samoa, Papua New Guinea before coming to New Caledonia, where he worked for environment group Conservation International (CI). CI and WWF are involved in a number of joint programmes in the Pacific.

"Since the inception of the WWF New Caledonia bureau, Henri was a key partner and never hesitated to assist WWF efforts to accompany those he was himself championing," Downer said. "Henri generously shared the Hienghène offices he established with WWF field personnel, and made every conceivable effort to advance our common terrestrial and marine conservation goals and projects."

“Henri was a truly devoted professional as well as a joyous and wonderful human being,” said Claude Gascon, CI’s executive vice president for regional programs, who recently climbed Mont Panié with Blaffart.

Downer paid tribute to “Henri's tireless efforts to catalyse collaboration and collective forest preservation through concrete conservation projects and inspired ecotourism initiatives”. He also said it was a tragedy that Blaffart had not seen the imminent creation of northern New Caledonia's first marine protected areas “for which he will have been in large part responsible”.

“Henri has left his mark in the form of mountain top refuges for hikers and scientists, a series of lengthy and well demarcated walking paths, and a myriad of accompanying melanesian tribe supported nature tourism initiatives,” Downer said.

“Against all odds, Henri also managed to federate some 16 melanesian tribes and other members into the Dayu Biik Association which is playing a crucial role in spreading awareness of sustainable forest preservation strategies.

Blaffart is survived by his mother and sister, both living in Belgium.

“While he has sadly departed the mist shrouded forest of the the Mont Panié forests, his spirit will continue to live on in the heart and minds of those touched by his humanity, and the exceptional natural heritage he so passionately protected,” Downer said.

Comments

Roger Le Guen

August 4, 2008 - 17:44

Toutes mes condoléances à la famille d'un homme remarquable sur tous les plans avec qui j'ai grimpé le Mont Panié. Je l'ai revu avec bonheur en janvier 2008 alors qu'il partait à Beautemps-Beaupré....Je dispose de quelques photos que j'ai pu faire au cours de cette expédition en 2007 si vous êtes de sa famille contactez-moi!
rogerleguen@panacoco.com

Jessika

July 25, 2008 - 11:30

I saw Henry just one time in my life in Brazil and after that we became friends! He used to wright me almost every day and I came to know all about him! It was weird that he wasn´t wrighting so I went to check for his name at google and then I heard in this bad way what happend! It was a shock, he was great,a real friend! And I was going to visit him! I liked him very much and never forget!!

Anne-Lou

April 15, 2008 - 19:10

je suis... la soeur de Henri et je suis contente de lire et de voir toutes ces belles choses que vous écrivez sur mon petit frére.Il avait beaucoup d'amis, de tout t'age et de toute les couleur qui l'aimaient dans le monde entier.
La nature a tué un de ces plus fervant soldat, cette fois c'est elle qui c'est trompée et pas l'homme.Kiki tu vivais à l'autre bout du monde, si loin de nous, tous les jours tu nous manquait mais l'espoir de te revoir bientôt nous
réjouissait.Maintenant que tu est rentré définitivement au pays et que demeure dans mon village je ne te verrai plus sourire,et t'entendre me dire "bouge".A voir la peine que je ressens, je n'ose même pas penser à celle de notre maman.
...
Et puis on va essayer de bouger et de planter des arbres
Salut mon frére
Merci Ahab

brigitte (Bassenge)

April 7, 2008 - 22:29

Thanks for Henri. We're loved him, like a lot of people. He was a great man of the Nature and the life. Bye Kiki !

koen de witte

April 1, 2008 - 21:35

I have only had the fortune to know Blaff during a one-week hiking trip about 10 years ago. Still, he made such an impression as a uniquely genuine person in touch with nature that I regularly find myself thinking of him, wondering what he would be doing. This news is just too sad for words. -Koen

Jean-Marie WODON (or Woody as he called me)

March 31, 2008 - 21:11

I used to hug him each time I would meet him again. I usually don't do that to men but in the case of Blaff, there was something so warm, so comforting about him that I could not resist. As another friend told me on the phone, I regret the fact that I was not able to spend more time in his presence. Jean-Marie

Luc Boydens (or Bobo as he called me)

March 27, 2008 - 20:23

Thanks for this great tribute to "Blaff" as some of us called him in Belgium. He was indeed a truly genuine guy passionate about people, nature and life, who was appreciated everywhere he passed.
A terrible loss.