Latest news with #IntegratedManagementPlan
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Ōwairaka archery club's lease terminated, seeks new home after 50 years on Auckland maunga
'There are presently two archery clubs operating on two maunga and each requires significant space for exclusive use on most days of the week. Based upon the independent advice from a parks specialist consultant and in terms of the governing Integrated Management Plan, the management team recommended that the Mountain Green Archery Club expired lease not be continued. 'At today's hui, the authority terminated the lease while delegating to the chair and deputy chair agreeing the final terms for ending this lease. This approach gives the club some time to plan for relocation. The authority also requested management to work closely with the club to support finding and transitioning to a new site.' The Mountain Green Archery Club will have to move after 50 years on the Ōwairaka maunga. The outdoor range on the Ōwairaka maunga has been a fixture since the early 1950s. The club also has an indoor range at the Badminton Hall in Massey, West Auckland. In 2014, the tūpuna maunga (ancestral mountains) were given to a combination of mana whenua (Māori) and Auckland Council to co-govern. Since that time, the club has worked closely with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority. Kelly Atkinson, past president and current committee member of the club and current president of the Auckland District Archery Association, said while they are disappointed at the outcome, they are trying to stay positive. 'MGAC supports the vision of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority to govern the maunga,' Atkinson told the Herald. 'It's really unfortunate for us that their vision will cause significant disruption to our club as we now have to find a new home, and fast.' The Mountain Green Archery club has indoor facilities at Massey, West Auckland. Atkinson said while moving the club does not come as a surprise, the speed at which it may have to vacate has. 'This was a surprise. We only had four days' notice that the TMA were voting to terminate our lease. In meetings with TMA staff even as recently as late July, they talked in general terms about transition options but never said that we wouldn't, or weren't likely to, get a new lease at all – we only found this out when we saw the published agenda for the hui by which time there was no way for us or others to advocate for the club to stay.' The Mountain Green Archery Club has been on the Mt Albert maunga for 50 years. 'The timing has caused massive stress on our volunteers. We've worked very hard during our entire time on Ōwairaka/Mount Albert to use the range space with care and respect but we've also been unable to make improvements like refurbishing or replacing our aged clubroom built in 1957. 'Our beginner courses to learn about archery and our huge youth coaching programmes will continue and we hope our new home will be in central/West Auckland so we can keep serving the local community. We're looking toward the future now and getting excited about what we could make happen in a fresh new space. If readers have any suggestions for public or private land anywhere for our new home, we'd love to hear them at info@
News18
30-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Kerala HC orders dedicated authority, management plan to save Ashtamudi lake
Kochi, Jul 30 (PTI) The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to set up a dedicated authority and prepare a specific management plan to protect the ecologically fragile Ashtamudi Lake, warning that the wetland is under serious threat from pollution, encroachment, and unregulated activities. A division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted the deteriorating condition of Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar Site of international importance. The court noted that despite the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 mandating such measures, as of today, therefore, Ashtamudi lacks both a dedicated unit and a specific management plan. The absence of these two crucial components has resulted in haphazard and disjointed efforts, leading to the resultant situation. The bench stressed that the first and foremost requirement for conserving the lake is 'that a dedicated multi-member unit has to be constituted" and that 'an integrated management plan for Ashtamudi which will be implemented by this Unit" must be prepared. The court observed that without the plan in place, steps taken for the conservation of Ashtamudi Lake could only be ad hoc and haphazard. The plan has to identify and address the specific ecological and hydrological conditions of the site, assess threats, propose conservation and restoration actions, and include timelines, budgets, and performance indicators, it said. The court also noted that pollution from sewage, biomedical waste, and solid waste, along with mangrove destruction caused by encroachment, were major threats to the lake. In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a Rs 10 crore penalty on the government for failing to protect the lake. In its final order, the bench issued several binding directions, including the constitution of the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit within two months, 'by issuing an official notification in that regard." The first meeting of the Unit is to be held within two months of notification to finalise procedures. Other directions include the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure to govern the Unit's functioning, including co-ordination among stakeholders. The state was directed to provide 'necessary office infrastructure, support staff, and funding" for the Unit. The court said the Unit must have its own website or dedicated web page with public access, including the management plan, its composition, and a feedback mechanism for citizens. It further stated that the Integrated Management Plan for Ashtamudi must be finalised within six months, in line with regulations, and that an interim management plan must be prepared until the final plan is ready. All government departments and agencies were directed to extend 'full co-operation" to the Unit. The court also emphasised the need for public participation, directing that the website should have a 'digital feedback mechanism (web/social media) for the general public to bring to its notice the matters of concern by enabling them to upload/share audio-visual material." The petition was accordingly disposed of, with liberty to the Secretary of the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit to approach the court again if further directions are needed. PTI TGB TGB ROH view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Tūpuna Maunga Research Scholarship 2025/2026 Opens For Applications
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is now inviting applications for its 2025/2026 research scholarship. Open to students across all disciplines, the scholarship offers up to $10,000 to support research that deepens understanding of the ancestral mountains of Tāmaki Makaurau and helps protect their cultural and environmental values. Applications open on Monday 30 June 2025 and close at 10pm on Sunday 31 August 2025. The scholarship was developed under the Authority's education strategy and is grounded in the values and aspirations set out in the Integrated Management Plan (IMP). Its purpose is to encourage research that fosters innovation, enhances knowledge, and contributes to the ongoing care of the mauri (life force) and wairua (spiritual essence) of the Tūpuna Maunga. Previous recipients have explored diverse topics including weaving, photography, volcanology, anthropology and cultural narratives. All applicants from any area of study are encouraged to apply, however it must align with the Authority's values and strategic plans. 'Our aim is to support research that not only expands understanding but brings real-world insights and solutions,' says Paul Majurey, Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority. 'This is part of how we foster a living legacy and connection with the Tūpuna Maunga'. The scholarship may be awarded to a single applicant or split among multiple recipients depending on the scope and quality of proposals. Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants platform, with successful recipients receiving funding from November 2025 (subject to processing timelines). Full details, including eligibility and the Tūpuna Maunga Values framework, can be found at 'The Tūpuna Maunga are taonga that connect us to generations past and future,' says Majurey. 'We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and fields. This is a chance to bring fresh thinking to how we care for and live with these sacred landscapes'.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Raja Musa Forest Reserve recognised as ASEAN Peatland reference site
KUALA SELANGOR: The Raja Musa Forest Reserve here has been selected by the ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands (ATFP) as a regional reference site for peatland conservation and restoration efforts. ATFP chairman S.R. Siva Kumar said the site was chosen in recognition of the success achieved by the Selangor government and relevant parties in transforming the area, which had been degraded by illegal logging and farming, into a model of integrated peatland conservation acknowledged at the international level. 'Today, delegates from seven countries participating in the 10th ATFP Meeting, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Laos, were brought here to witness firsthand our efforts in rehabilitating peat forests. 'From the feedback received, many of the visitors, comprising policymakers and scientists, expressed admiration for what has been achieved here and are keen for us to share our approach to peatland conservation,' he said. Siva Kumar, who is also the Biodiversity and Forestry Management Division secretary at the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, was speaking during the ATFP delegation's site visit to the forest reserve today. He stressed that peatland conservation should be a collective priority due to its vital environmental role, particularly as a significant carbon sink. Malaysia is hosting and chairing the 10th ATFP Meeting from June 24 to 26 at Novotel, Putrajaya, as part of its ASEAN chairmanship this year. Meanwhile, Selangor Forestry Department director Azhar Ahmad said the visit served not only to showcase the state's efforts but also to introduce the work and initiatives of various agencies involved in peatland conservation. 'This site was selected because Selangor is implementing an effective Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for its peat swamp forests, which has yielded positive impacts for the state. 'In addition, this location is one of the research landscapes under the Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (SMPEM): Rehabilitation of Raja Musa Forest Reserve project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),' he added. Located in Bestari Jaya, the Raja Musa Forest Reserve was gazetted on Jan 8, 1990, covering an area of 23,486 hectares. It also serves as a production forest, research site and wildlife protection zone. In September 2017, the forest reserve received recognition under the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC), designating it as a conservation area for future generations.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Raja Musa forest reserve recognised as Asean peatland reference site
KUALA SELANGOR: The Raja Musa Forest Reserve here has been selected by the Asean Task Force on Peatlands (ATFP) as a regional reference site for peatland conservation and restoration efforts. ATFP chairman S.R. Siva Kumar said the site was chosen in recognition of the success achieved by the Selangor government and relevant parties in transforming the area, which had been degraded by illegal logging and farming, into a model of integrated peatland conservation acknowledged at the international level. "Today, delegates from seven countries participating in the 10th ATFP Meeting, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Laos, were brought here to witness firsthand our efforts in rehabilitating peat forests. "From the feedback received, many of the visitors, comprising policymakers and scientists, expressed admiration for what has been achieved here and are keen for us to share our approach to peatland conservation," he said. Siva Kumar, who is also the Biodiversity and Forestry Management Division secretary at the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, was speaking during the ATFP delegation's site visit to the forest reserve today. He stressed that peatland conservation should be a collective priority due to its vital environmental role, particularly as a significant carbon sink. Malaysia is hosting and chairing the 10th ATFP Meeting from June 24 to 26 at Novotel, Putrajaya, as part of its Asean chairmanship this year. Meanwhile, Selangor Forestry Department director Azhar Ahmad said the visit served not only to showcase the state's efforts but also to introduce the work and initiatives of various agencies involved in peatland conservation. "This site was selected because Selangor is implementing an effective Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for its peat swamp forests, which has yielded positive impacts for the state. "In addition, this location is one of the research landscapes under the Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia (SMPEM): Rehabilitation of Raja Musa Forest Reserve project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)," he added. Located in Bestari Jaya, the Raja Musa Forest Reserve was gazetted on Jan 8, 1990, covering an area of 23,486ha. It also serves as a production forest, research site and wildlife protection zone. In September 2017, the forest reserve received recognition under the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC), designating it as a conservation area for future generations.
