Conservation comment from locals sought

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 415, 3 December 1991, Page 1

Conservation comment from locals sought

The Department of Conservation has a new approach to planning for the future. During December public meetings will be held in the Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy to discuss with members of the public future priorities for conservation management. Following the meetings, a Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) which is designed to plan for a 10

year period will be prepared. Included in the CMS will be directions for annual budgeting and work programmes to ensure the most effective allocation of resources. The CMS will set out what the governments' priorities are as well as what the tangata whenua and public want to happen in the Tongariro/Taupo area. Turn page 2

DoC comment

From page 1 The diverse responsibilities of DoC which include species protection, science and research, weed control, fresh water and sports fisheries management, recreation and tourism, monitoring the commercial use of the estate, prcvision of emergency services, protection of the estate, animal and pest control, tikanga Maori, revegetation and advocacy means that the scope of the CMS is extremely broad. "Until recently, draft management plans were produced almost behind closed doors, and then the public was asked to comment," said Dave Wakelin, Advocacy Manager in the Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy. "Today the department wants the public to have an active input from the beginning and to share their concerns and ideas before the draft is attempted." Public meetings are to be held in Taupo, Turangi, Owhango and Whakapapa.