MOUNT ARARAT, Turkey: Ark of Noah, built to save humanity and the animal kingdom in the face of a great flood, is being reconstructed in model form on Mount Ararat as a warning to mankind to act now to prevent global warming.

Environmental activists are behind the initiative in the lush green foothills of the snow-capped mountain in eastern Turkey, where the Bible says the vessel came to rest after a flood had wiped out corrupt humanity.

Volunteers are racing to complete the wooden vessel under bright sunshine by end-May, to coincide with a summit of leading countries next month in Germany where climate change will be high on the agenda.

"This is directed mainly at the politicians of this earth, to world leaders who are primarily responsible for the climate catastrophe which is taking place and for the solution," said Wolfgang Sadik, campaign leader for Greenpeace, which is behind the project.

"The aim is to put on Mount Ararat a memorial, a warning sign that also gives hope, to shake up the world and to say that if we don't react now it is too late," he said, as carpenters hammered away at the Ark's bow at an altitude of 2,400 metres.

Timber for the boat was hauled by horse up the mountain last week and the volunteers face logistical problems working at high altitude in a remote place.

They are also working against the clock for a May 31 ceremony, when doves will be released from the boat and an appeal made to world leaders to counter global warming: Noah sent a dove out from the Ark to see if the flood had subsided.

"A boatbuilding master said they would not have the courage to do this given the short period of time," said German carpenter Rainer Brumshagen. "But I had the feeling that it could work."