Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354:body:0:p44
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 124462–127532

the residential area of the park, but may roam into the park and impact on its natural values. Aṉangu have historically kept dogs of mixed breeds including dingo (Canis lupus dingo).

 Papa, tjitutja

 Fire management

 Fire (waṟu) is a natural part of the park's cultural and natural values and is integral to maintaining Tjukurpa. Aṉangu have always used fire as an important tool for managing country, and this long-standing relationship is acknowledged in the park's World Heritage listing. Fire is also used for landscape scale ecosystem management, and often involves working cooperatively with neighbours through a regional burning approach.

 Anangu fire management techniques create mosaics or patchworks of vegetation in different stages of recovery, and over many thousands of years the region's plants and animals evolved under its influence. Many Central Australian species therefore have specific requirements related to the frequency and intensity of fires. Aṉangu use burning methods to collect resources, diversify food production and to help create diverse landscapes that can support many native species. Following the arrival of Europeans, and the movement of Aṉangu to settled communities, traditional patterns of burning were altered. Disruption of mosaic burning practices has resulted in large destructive wildfires, and reduced habitat diversity for native animals. It is also a contributing factor in the loss of mammal species from the region.

 Most major wildfires have been recorded in the park since the 1940s, with several of these having severe impacts. Since the 1980s, fire management in the park has incorporated traditional Aṉangu knowledge to carry out prescribed burning based on traditional patch burning techniques. This helps to avoid, contain or minimise the spread of wildfires, and in turn reduce the impacts on sensitive flora and fauna species. In addition to protecting the park's natural and cultural values, fire management programs also ensure the protection of life, property and park assets.

 The park works with adjoining landowners and relevant agencies including the Central Land Council, Northern Territory Government agencies (e.g. Fire and Rescue Service and Bushfires NT) and neighbours to adopt a regional approach to fire management.

 Climate change

 In recent years global climate change has emerged as a key issue for biodiversity and environmental management. A climate change strategy (DNP 2012) was developed for the park from 2012-15 which identified the following potential impacts:

   •      pressure on native flora and fauna and impacts on biodiversity

   •      increased spread of invasive species

   •      introduction of exotic species

   •      reduced groundwater and surface water availability

   •      increased incidence of fire events

   •      indigenous and cultural impacts

   •      visitor impacts and human health

   •      increased pressure on park infrastructure.

 A report about the expected effects of climate change on the park (Hyder Consulting 2008) suggested