I can draw a parallel here with those birders who did not bother to get
permits, or who were not behaving appropriately, resulting in access to
Leanyer Sewage Ponds being tightened, and management declaring a couple of
years ago, that such people could be arrested. It's a similar situation
with access to western Arnhem Land. Elders told me they even opposed a
bridge over the East Alligator River because of the influx of tourists (and
locals from Jabiru, for example) doing the wrong thing.
Visitors do not necessarily 'stick' to the tracks. As a birding/natural
history guide of some 27 year's experience, I've occasionally had hardcore
birders, herpetologists and other enthusiasts break the rules. Some
trespassed on private property, and another insisted on approaching a
nursery cave of ghost bats. Consequently, I decided ten years ago, not to
guide anyone who might behave in this way, let alone take them into Arnhem
Land.
As for looking after the interests of birders, elders of several
outstations around Mamadewerrie and Gudjekbinj (Baby Dreaming), declared
some areas birding zones, and made hunting out of bounds. Now a traditional
owner of Koongara, has made his land available to be incorporated into
Kakadu - that area will be super for Arnhem escarpment endemics.
And on the issue raised earlier about training Indigenous guides - elders
and I ran such a program at Gudjekbin, training our younger relatives.
However, we, elders and myself, were declared 'unaccredited' by the NT
Government. I wasn't surprised but the elders, some of the most highly
regarded bushmen and hunters in the Top End, were amazed, and furious. They
will not do it again.
And a program to train such guides in Kakadu, was badly designed, and
employed trainers who (according to my contacts) were 'incompetent'. The
money has now run out and the program has folded.
--
Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
PO Box 3460 NT 0832, AUSTRALIA
Ph. 61 08 89 328306
Mobile: 04 386 50 835
Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant
PhD Candidate
Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia
Research survey:
For American birders -
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=h3NCqTwur3H_2bPlbFtk_2bSpw_3d_3d
http://www.denisegoodfellow.com.au
http://www.earthfoot.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baby-dreaming
www.fatbirder.com/
For copies of Birds of Australia¹s Top End or Quiet Snake Dreaming, visit
amazon.com
on 14/8/10 9:15 AM, Tony Russell at wrote:
> Well said Graham.
>
> Tony
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Graham Buchan
> Sent: Friday, 13 August 2010 5:01 PM
> To: Colin R
> Cc:
> Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [Birding-Aus] Princess Parrots issue
>
> Colin,
>
> I have just been through a large part of Central Australia. Many areas are
> off-limits and most are private cattle stations. The traditional owners of
> indigenous land have the same rights to allow or exclude access as do any
> other Australians, be they ranchers or suburban homeowners. The law does not
> recognise size of block as pertinent to access - otherwise I'd have roamed
> all over El Questro! It is unfortunate that access has not been granted but
> how many cattle stations would allow 80 birdos into their lands, especially
> as they could be liable for injury claims in the event of accidents etc.
> Traditional owners have every right both at law and practically to restrict
> access to their lands.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Graham Buchan
>
>
> On 13/08/2010, at 4:29 PM, Colin R wrote:
>
>> Hi All
>> I have been reading this thread with interest. Being originally from
>> Ireland I have no experience in access permits required for what appears
>> to me to be a public access area. I know the land is 'granted' to the
>> local inhabitants and if it was the size of a suburban block I would
>> completely understand - I don't want strangers wandering around in my
>> back yard either.
>> But we're not talking about a quarter acre or even a 10acre block here
>> are we? with cattle? or crops? We're talking about a hunting ground of
>> vast proportions with no facilities - it's not even a reasonable
>> comparison. It seems to me to be a ridiculous situation. Is this not a
>> land for all Australians?
>> I can appreciate that the locals don't want people wandering anywhere
>> all over the place possibly disturbing the game or interfering with
>> their sacred sites, but visitors would stick to the few established
>> tracks across what seems to be a wilderness, wouldn't they? The amount
>> of time anyone from 'outside' would spend there would be severly limited
>> anyway and, with agreement, visiting vehicles could avoid settlements to
>> reduce any impact on the inhabitants.
>> Personally I see this as an outrageous outcome - that 80 or so birders
>> can be denied access to a huge area of virtually uninhabitated
>> countryside when a once in a lifetime opportunity is presented. There is
>> no intention to damage the environment - far from it, injure, capture
>> or destroy wildlife - the very opposite, or inhabit, stay or live in the
>> area for more than a couple of days.
>> The only outcome from my perspective, I'm afraid, is a further loss of
>> respect or interest in understanding the aboriginal beliefs and claims.
>> I'm sure there are those of you who will claim to understand their
>> fears, appreciate their needs and recognise their beliefs. Sorry - this
>> is an all Australian land (incidentally I am an Australian citizen too)
>> and my hard earned taxes go towards supporting communities like this.
>> While I do recognise their need for isolation and the opportunity to
>> lead a way of life they feel they are entitled to, barring access to
>> other travellers under the conditions decribed is just plain wrong. In
>> fact being able to deny access to anyone to what should be at least a
>> public thoroughfare is wrong.
>> Incidentally what if you were 'lucky' enough to score the first type of
>> permit - the drive-only-don't-stop permit - and you needed to go to the
>> toilet? I'm not being funny, in reality its a stupid proposition - just
>> think about it for a minute....
>>
>> By the way I had no plans to go, being unable to afford it because my
>> taxes are so high.....
>>
>> Colin
>> Brisbane
>> --
>> Colin Reid
>>
>> So many birds, so little time......
>>
>>
>> --
>> http://www.fastmail.fm - Access your email from home and the web
>>
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