The Requirements of a Conservation Programme

Extract

A good conservation programme may be considered under four headings,

The need for modern and flexible legislation.

Control of reserves.

Policy formulation.

The enlistment of public sympathy.

The need for modern and flexible legislation.—The first essential is legislation to protect fauna from destruction either by farmers or “sportsmen”. In Western Australia we have almost model legislation along these lines. There is “blanket” protection for all mammals and birds, while provision has been made for some to be declared unprotected should all the circumstances warrant it. In other words the long-established privilege of human beings in English countries to be considered innocent until proven guilty, has been extended to these two major groups of animals. Reptiles are still outside this “blanket”, though some species have been given safety, but by and large, this legislation can be considered satisfactory. Yet a negative attitude to conservation is scarcely sufficient; there is the question of preserving the habitat. Without this, many species must inevitably disappear.