NEW ZEALAND SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (INC) POLICY FOR CAVE AND KARST CONSERVATION
The New Zealand Speleological Society believes:
- that caves and karst areas have unique ecological, scientific, recreational, scenic and cultural values;
- that these values are sometimes endangered and compromised by careless and intentional vandalism and extractive industries such as mining, quarrying and logging and by inappropriate development and utilisation;
- that once these values have gone they cannot be recovered; and
- that responsibility for conserving and protecting cave and karst areas must be assumed by those who scientifically study them, and those that pursue recreational opportunities in them.
The Society supports the view that 'conservation' is the wise, balanced and sustained use of our natural resources. It therefore believes that a responsible approach should be taken to the protection and conservation; and development and utilisation of New Zealand's cave and karst resource. 'Preservation' is regarded by the Society as a legitimate use of natural resources. Preservation is the most extreme method of conserving natural resources in which the objective may imply minimal impact or non-use of caves and karst areas.
Accordingly, the intention of the Society is to work not only for the pursuit of recreation and scientific study in caves, but also for the conservation and preservation of our caves and karst areas. To these ends policies are supported that encourage conservation awareness among Society members and other cave users; promote education and research concerning conservation and preservation leading to the prevention of damage to caves and karst areas; and encourage co-operation with other groups similarly dedicated to the conservation of natural environments.
The Society encourages the legitimate scientific study of caves and karst and the use of such studies to conserve and preserve, and to appropriately develop and utilise New Zealand's cave and karst resources. The Society supports the use of such knowledge to create awareness among the public, corporate bodies and government agencies of the unique values of our caves and karst areas.
The Society supports and encourages projects by individuals, organisation and government agencies to protect caves and karst areas in consultation with the Society; opposes the sale of speleothems; encourages the monitoring of user impacts; supports effective protective measures and the cleaning and restoring of over used caves.
Reference: NSS Policy for Cave Conservation, ASF Newsletter No 92, 1981
Policy prepared by Kevan A Wilde (NZSS) and ratified by the Council of the New Zealand Speological Society at Wellington, 30 March 1985.