National Forum

Reconciling nature conservation objectives with Indigenous land management aspirations.
Steve Szabo
Director Indigenous Policy and Coordination
Parks Australia, Environment Australia.

For hundreds of generations, the management of natural and cultural resources in this land was entirely the domain of the original inhabitants. In that context, Indigenous management regimes evolved to promote long term, sustainable resource use for their economic and social well-being. In many regions and communities, a contemporary expression of the traditional responsibility of 'caring for country' can be seen in the establishment and operations of local land management organisations.

Aboriginal Lands are making a very valuable contribution to the national effort to conserve the nation's biodiversity. Some communities are declaring their lands as protected areas in accordance with internationally agreed protected areas standards and guidelines. These areas are supported through the Commonwealth's Indigenous Protected Areas Program.

Indigenous Protected Areas are very much like what most of us know as national parks. They are being established in all jurisdictions and since the first declaration in 1998 some 2.9 million hectares of Indigenous owned lands have been added to the National system of protected areas. More are expected in the coming months including the first declaration in Western Australia over a very significant wetland in the Kimberley region.

While the efficacy of traditional resource management is a central tenet of these developments activities, it is openly acknowledged by the Indigenous community that many of the more recent impacts on natural and cultural resources are beyond the management capacity of traditional regimes. To this end, many groups have sought to evolve a 'two ways' approach to natural and cultural resource management. This synthesis of indigenous and non-indigenous knowledge ensures the traditional owners can make decisions based on the best available information. On the rocky road to reconciliation, Aboriginal communities are making a significant gesture of goodwill by declaring Indigenous Protected Areas. Concern for the sustainable use of the natural environment is not the monopoly of any particular sector of the broader Australian community. In fulfilling their inherent cultural responsibilities for 'caring for country' Aboriginal people are making a substantial contribution to the national conservation estate.