The Daintree Rainforest returned to Traditional Owners in historic agreement
By Lucy Jones 5 October 2021
Original custodians of the world's oldest living rainforest have won back the right to manage their land.
History was made this week as the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people regained control of their lands and waters in northern Australia.
A 160,213 hectare area of country that includes the ancient Daintree Rainforest — the world's oldest living rainforest at an estimated 180 million years old — was handed back to traditional custodians.
Elders and Traditional Owners were presented with deeds to an area that includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park as well as the Ngalba-bulal, Kalkajaka and Hope Islands national parks at a ceremony in northern Queensland last week. The agreement includes land previously recognised under native title as well as an additional 20 per cent of country.
"This is where we belong on country, on bubu — on land," Yalanji traditional owner and Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation director Mary-Anne Port said.
"All our ancestors called us back to home. I broke down — to get it all back in a battle that we've lost so many, young and old, that fought for country and now it's all back."
The Eastern Kuku Yalanji People will manage the national parks jointly with the Queensland government under the Indigenous Management Agreement.
Story via ABC News.
Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.
Lucy started her career working as a writer and editor in print and digital publishing. She went on to create content for Australia's leading sustainable fashion platform while completing her Master of Cultural Studies. Lucy spends her downtime at the beach, crocheting and hanging out with her cat Larry. She believes words can change the world and is stoked to help Planet Ark spread the message of positive environmental change.
