Conservationists welcome handback of World Heritage-listed national parks to Daintree traditional owners

We welcome the handback of the Daintree, Ngalba-bulal, Kalkajaka and Hope Island National Park to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Peoples as well as the commitment to dedicate Eastern Yalanjiwarra Nature Refuge.

Hannah Schuch said it was great to see 160,108 hectares of national parks, including the World Heritage listed Daintree, returned to Traditional Owners to preserve natural and cultural heritage and welcomed the declaration of Eastern Yalanjiwarra Nature Refuge.

“It’s fantastic to see the transfer of these national parks to First Nations ownership and stewardship and to know that returning the Daintree to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji People will mean it is in safe hands for future generations,” said Hannah Schuch, spokesperson for Our Living Outback.

“It’s also great to hear that nature will be cared for as a protected area on private land with the declaration of Eastern Yalanjiwarra Nature Refuge.

“Today’s announcements show that the Palaszczuk Government is serious about delivering on its commitment to Indigenous led conservation as outlined in the 2020-2030 Protected Area Strategy. We look forward to seeing the return of more national parks to First Nations owners and more funding for the expansion and management of national parks and private protected areas.

“These handbacks are a direct result of the Cape York Tenure Resolution Program, which facilitates the return of land to the ownership and management of Traditional Owners, while ensuring the protection of iconic natural areas and cultural values.

“Further investment is needed in the 2021 Queensland budget to continue the Cape York Tenure Resolution Program and to build on this highly successful program’s legacy of positive outcomes for nature and local communities.”

Since 1995, the Cape York Tenure Resolution Program has returned approximately 4 million hectares of land to Aboriginal stewardship.