Kakadu National Park — conflicts in a world heritage area

Abstract

Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory of Australia, is a major World Heritage Area with significant natural and cultural values. It is the responsibility of the Australian government and its management agency — the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service — to preserve these features. However, burgeoning tourist numbers are placing areas of the park under environmental pressure, resulting in potential conflict between human use and conservation values. The use of the park by Aborigines for both traditional and modern pursuits implies a further conflict with World Heritage values, as does mining and proposed mining activities in 'park windows'. The importance of activities such as tourism and mining to the economies of the Northern Territory and Australia may result in the continuation of these conflicts unless appropriate management strategies are implemented.