Back | Print

Parks and Wildlife Minister Karl Hampton has welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of the Territory Government’s Cycad Management Program 2009-2014.

 

Mr Hampton said the Federal Government’s approval as a wildlife trade management plan meant the international trade in the Territory’s cycad leaves and plants could continue for another five years.

 

“I welcome the Federal Government’s approval of the Cycad Management Program as it will continue to support jobs within our nursery trade,” Mr Hampton said.

 

“The Territory’s landscaping, nurseries and associated businesses are worth an estimated $40 million to our economy and employs about 500 Territorians.

 

“Cycads are particularly popular among enthusiasts and have become increasingly popular for use in landscaping, as pot plants and as floral arrangements.

 

“The five year management program is designed to not only facilitate local and international trade in this much sought after plant, but to also maintain viable wild populations of all cycad species and cycad habitats across the Territory.

 

“Cycads are an intriguing group of plants that are true living fossils – they were dominant plants in the age of the Dinosaurs and survive unchanged living relics of that time.

 

“These unique plants have long been used by Aboriginal people as a source of food, for medicinal purposes and as a significant ceremonial plant.

 

“It is important to protect cycads for the enjoyment of future Territorians, as they are vulnerable to land clearing and changing fire regimes also pose a threat to many cycad populations.”

 

The Cycad Management Plan is available at http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/programs/cycad/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: Edwin Edlund 0401 119 563
Related files:
Hampton.221009.Cycads.pdf ( 277.75 kb )