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Caring for Country and Sustainable Indigenous Development: Opportunities, Constraints and Innovation

Altman, JC and Whitehead, PJ (2003). Caring for Country and Sustainable Indigenous Development: Opportunities, Constraints and Innovation. In: National Landcare Conference, Darwin, 28 April - 1 May 2003.

Document type: Conference Paper
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Author Altman, JC
Whitehead, PJ
Title Caring for Country and Sustainable Indigenous Development: Opportunities, Constraints and Innovation
Conference Name National Landcare Conference
Conference Location Darwin
Conference Dates 28 April - 1 May 2003
Place of Publication Darwin, NT, Australia
Publisher Landcare Australia and Tropical Savannas CRC
Publication Year 2003
ISBN 0 7315 4919 8   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
ISSN 1442-3871   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
HERDC Category E2 - Conference Publication - Full written paper, non refereed proceedings (internal)
Abstract This paper explores how Indigenous community-based natural resource management can generate both conservation benefit and economic development opportunity. We begin by noting that much of the Indigenous estate in north Australia is either thinly populated or unpopulated. There is emerging evidence that, in situations where Indigenous people live on their country, ecological and wider benefits are generated via favourable fire regimes, control over weed infestations, and potentially through feral animal harvesting. When people are on country, they generate economic benefit for themselves by harvesting wildlife for consumption and engage with the market sector by using natural resources in commercial enterprise like arts and crafts production. We argue that there is a strong correlation between such activities and cost-effective natural resource management. Links between landcare, wildlife use and biodiversity conservation need to be recognized, celebrated and supported. The removal of many barriers to enhanced and innovative Indigenous participation in such activities, and equitable public support through programs like Landcare, will facilitate sustainable economic development options that are compatible with Indigenous priorities, while ameliorating Indigenous disadvantage.
Additional Notes Also published as Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) Working Paper Series No. 20
Description for Link Link to Article
Link to OA Journal Home
URL http://caepr.anu.edu.au/system/files/Publications/WP/CAEPRWP20.pdf
http://caepr.anu.edu.au/publications.php
 
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