A 180 - million - year - old tropic rainforest in Queensland , Australia has formally been handed back to its traditionalIndigenousowners by the state government . The deal means that after four old age of negotiation , the Eastern Kuku Yalanji masses now control the Daintree Rainforest , which has been their home since long before Australia was colonized .

Considered the oldesttropical rainforeston the planet , the Daintree was throw UNESCO mankind inheritance status in 1988 as part of an initiative to protect it from log , minelaying , and ontogeny . However , while the situation ’s itemisation served to recognize its immense environmental significance , it did not let in any acknowledgment of the long - standing ethnical traditions of its long - terminus inhabitant .

In aggregate , the Queensland government has now handed over ownership of 395,467 acres of land , which include the Daintree , Ngalba Bulal , Kalkajaka and Hope Islands national parks . These field now join other iconic landmarks such as Uluru and Kakadu as UNESCO human race heritage web site controlled by First Nations people .

Reacting to the handover , Grant stated that “ it ’s a giving thing for Eastern Kuku Yalanji people , for us bama , which means people . ”

“ Bama across the wet tropics have consistently hold up within the rainforest . That in itself is something that is fairly unequalled to the mankind heritage itemisation , " she continued . " Wherever you go there are community of interests within the tropic rainforest . ”

Also home to 186 rare , threatened , andendangered speciesof plants and animals , the Daintree is seen by conservationists as a region of world-wide ecological import . Initially , the forest ’s traditional owner will manage the res publica in collaboration with the Queensland government , though Grant articulate that the long - term finish is for the Indigenous custodian to take full ascendance of the area .

“ Our end is to show a foundation to allow … pathways and opportunities for mentor , training , apprenticeships , work experience and employment for our Eastern Kuku Yalanji bama to fill positions from a wide stove of skilled trades , land and sea management , hospitality , tourism , and research so that we are in ascendency of our own fate . ”

[ H / T : The Guardian ]