High-country control

Press, 24 June 1986, Page 20

High-country control

Sir, — Michael Beaven’s letter of June 18 referred to the 2.7 million hectares of highcountry pastoral leasehold land that has been allocated to the Land Management and Development Corporation. I share his view that this land should be administered by a stewardship section of the Department of Conservation. Such allocation would allow management that is considerate of natural, recreational and grazing values. A commercial corporation may see little value in saving black stilt habitat or protecting short-tus-sock grasslands from extensive pastoral improvement. Further, marginal grazing lands may not have a place in a profit-motive corporation. Would this then open the door to extensive private ownership in the high-coun-try? — Yours, etc.,

AMANDA BAIRD June 19, 1986.

Sir,—ln his letter of June 18 Michael Beavan speaks of the unique beauty of our high-coun-try pastures. The beauty is not just in the vista, but is also beneath his feet. Unlike the grass paddocks of the plains, the best of these are not made up of ryegrass and clover but are, instead, a rich mixture of native species though, with some, weedy exotic species have invaded. I am concerned the proposed Land Management and Development Corporation that would administer the high-coun-try areas at present under pastoral lease will under-value these' native pastures. Given the commercial basis of the corporation it seems likely that a policy promoting replacement with pastures based on exotic species will be followed. There is a danger that this will occur without adequate reservation or similar protection of native plant communities especially those that have already been modified by grazing. What monetary value do you put on the irreplaceable?— Yours, etc., B. STRAIGHT. June 20, 1986.