Hello All
Some years ago I contacted cattle station owners to see whether any of
them were interested in taking out birders. It was as if I'd suggested
they invite little green men onto their properties.
Then last year I went to Bullo Station near the WA border. Like other
station-owners I'd talked to over the years Sarah had no idea what birds
were on her property or that people might want to come to her property to
watch them. I was disappointed to see the damage done by cattle on her
land. Great swathes of cane grass had disappeared and there at least
Purple-crowned Fairy-wren was no more. Sarah Henderson is looking at
ways to keep cattle out of some sensitive areas but I assume that would
mean loss of income which she'd need to make up. It would be
interesting to see how such people would react to this debate.
At least half of the Northern Territory is Aboriginal land or under
claim. Many people want to stay on their land and look after it, but
often economic necessity plus lack of eucation and health facilities
drives them into town. As I've mentioned before some of my relatives are
contemplating mining on their land because they're broke. Consequently
feral animals (such as pigs) and weeds are not controlled and traditional
burning off practices are lost.
So any cost-effective systemsuch as a taxation levy, aimed at
protecting this biodiversity by , had better involve Aboriginal people
as well as graziers and farmers.
Denise
Denise Goodfellow (Lawungkurr Maralngurra)
Specialist Guide
Ph/fax 08 89818492
PO Box 39373
WINNELLIE NT 0821, AUSTRALIA
www.earthfoot.org
Parap Bookshop
2ndhand and new books
08 89813922
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