Document Actions
First Indigenous Protected Area declared on Cape York Peninsula is ‘a visionary achievement’ - 04/06/08
The Wilderness Society (TWS) has welcomed the declaration of Cape York Peninsula’s first Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) as a visionary approach to conservation that will provide protection for tropical rainforests, savanna woodlands and rare and endangered species such as the Southern Cassowary and Freshwater Sawfish.
Mr. Anthony Esposito, spokesperson for TWS, said “The Kaanju
traditional owners in central Cape York Peninsula are showing the way
forward for conservation in Cape York and Northern Australia. They have
built a sustainable future based on caring for country since returning
to their traditional homelands nearly 20 years ago.”
The Kaanju
Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) was
declared today at Chuulangun on Kaanju homelands by Traditional Owners,
protecting 197,500 hectares of Aboriginal freehold land in north
eastern Cape York Peninsula. It is Australia’s 25th IPA, but the first
on Cape York Peninsula.
Indigenous Protected Areas are part of
the Commonwealth Government’s National Reserve System program in which
traditional owners and Government work together to protect conservation
values on Aboriginal land.
The new IPA will be managed under a
plan developed by Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation – a Kaanju
Traditional Owner organisation. Initiatives undertaken by Chuulangun
are having major biodiversity conservation benefits as well as creating
jobs and providing training, capacity building and sustainable business
opportunities.
TWS works with Chuulangun through a Cooperation Agreement in support of environmental protection and homelands development.
Mr.
Esposito said the conservation values of the new Indigenous Protected
Area include extensive areas of tropical rainforest, open savanna,
riverine environments and an extensive lagoon system centred on the
Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers.
“This is a great outcome for the
protection of the superlative environmental values of the region and
for the traditional owners. Chuulangun is a not waiting for Government
to deliver but rather are leading the way themselves.”
“Together
we are working to promote an innovative and cutting edge approach to
conservation in Northern Australia.” Mr. Esposito concluded.