PLAN OF MANAGEMENT for the NGAANYATJARRA LANDS INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA Ngaanyatjarra Council Land Management Unit August 2002 PLAN OF MANAGEMENT for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Indigenous Protected Area Prepared by: Keith Noble People & Ecology on behalf of the: Ngaanyatjarra Land Management Unit August 2002 i Table of Contents Notes on Yarnangu Orthography .................................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................................ v Cover photos .................................................................................................................................................................. v Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................................. v Summary.................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Ngaanyatjarra Council ............................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Brief Description of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands ........................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Ngaanyatjarra Lands and Communities Within the NIPA ......................................................................................... 8 1.5 Climate....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Biogeography ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.7 History of Indigenous Occupation ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.8 History of European Contact ................................................................................................................................... 10 1.9 Existing Landuse ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.10 Development Process of The Ngaanyatjarra Lands IPA .......................................................................................... 12 2 Primary Values and Objectives........................................................................................................................................ 15 2.1 Cultural Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Nature Conservation ................................................................................................................................................ 15 2.3 Resource Sustainability............................................................................................................................................ 15 2.4 Recreation and Interpretation ................................................................................................................................... 16 3 Main Issues ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Cultural Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Protection of Yarnangu Cultural Values .......................................................................................................... 16 3.1.2 Access .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.1.3 Inter-Generational Continuity of Traditional Knowledge and Management Practices .................................... 16 3.1.4 Impacts Outside the Scope of Traditional Law ................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Nature Conservation ................................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.1 Protection of Natural Heritage Values ............................................................................................................. 17 3.2.2 Fire ................................................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2.3 Water ............................................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2.4 Threatened Species .......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.5 Collaborative work .......................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.6 Feral Animals ................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.7 Weeds .............................................................................................................................................................. 21 3.3 Resources ................................................................................................................................................................. 22 3.3.1 Access .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 3.3.2 Water ............................................................................................................................................................... 22 3.3.3 Sustainable Natural Resource Utilisation ........................................................................................................ 22 3.3.4 Mining ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 3.3.5 Other Resource Use ......................................................................................................................................... 23 3.4 Recreation and Visitor Management ....................................................................................................................... 24 3.4.1 Yarnangu Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 24 3.4.2 Tourism ............................................................................................................................................................ 24 3.4.3 Protection of Other Community Values........................................................................................................... 25 4 IPA Management Framework .......................................................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Management Context ............................................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Management Goals .................................................................................................................................................. 27 4.3 Strategic Management Directions ............................................................................................................................ 28 5 Implementation of Management ...................................................................................................................................... 29 5.1 Management Structure and Resources ..................................................................................................................... 29 5.2 Zoning ...................................................................................................................................................................... 30 5.2.1 Zone 1: Cultural Areas ..................................................................................................................................... 30 5.2.2 Zone 2: Nature Conservation Areas ................................................................................................................. 31 5.2.3 Zone 3: Visitor Management Areas ................................................................................................................. 31 5.2.4 Zone 4: Intensive