First Indigenous Protected Area declared on Cape York Peninsula is ‘a visionary achievement’

The Wilderness Society Inc
Media Release
4 June 2008

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.