An atmosphere group has taken authorized motion towards the Northern Territory authorities over land clearing for cotton.
The Environment Centre NT, the Northern Territory’s peak conservation physique, is preventing plans to clear what it describes as “ecologically important” tropical savanna to make means for the brand new crop.
Under powers given to it by the NT authorities, the NT Pastoral Land Board final yr permitted multinational company Clean Agriculture and International Tourism to clear 923 hectares at Auvergne Station within the Victoria River area of the Northern Territory.
The Environment Centre will argue the allow is invalid as a result of rising cotton just isn’t a “pastoral purpose” beneath the Pastoral Land Act.
It is the primary time a court docket will take a look at the territory’s land clearing legal guidelines beneath the Pastoral Land Act.
The Northern Land Council has additionally commenced authorized proceedings within the Supreme Court, difficult the identical land clearing allow.
“The Northern Territory’s savanna is a national treasure, part of a largely intact ecosystem stretching from Cape York to the Kimberley,” Environment Centre Executive Director Kirsty Howey stated.
“But it is in crisis. Like the Great Barrier Reef, it’s a vital ecosystem that’s literally collapsing before our eyes. The Northern Territory government should be doing all it can to protect it.
“Land clearing is skyrocketing within the Northern Territory, spurred partly by the cotton business’s large growth plans. It is the most important risk to biodiversity in Australia and clearing for cotton will decimate native wildlife, impression rivers and add to greenhouse gasoline emissions.”
In November 2022 a delegate of the Pastoral Land Board granted a permit to Clean Agriculture to clear 923.33 hectares of native vegetation under the NT government’s new “streamlined” process.
The corporation is proposing to use 249 hectares of the area to grow cotton.
If profitable, the Environment Centre says cotton growers would solely be capable to clear tropical savanna with correct oversight and scrutiny.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
