A historic decision to ban tourists from climbing Uluru (Ayres Rock) in Australia—an activity considered disrespectful by its traditional owners—was announced on November 1.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board, made up of a majority of Aboriginal traditional owners, unanimously voted to ban climbers from the popular Australian tourist attraction from Oct. 26, 2019.
This decision to end the climb seemed to be a natural progression of events, with the number of visitors actively scaling the national icon has in recent times fallen below the 20 per cent threshold stated in the Park’s management plan.
Uluru traditional owner and board chairman Sammy Wilson said the decision should be something to be proud of.
“This decision is for both Anangu (the traditional owners) and non-Anangu together to feel proud about; to realise, of course it’s the right thing to close it,” Wilson said in a media statement on Nov. 1.
“Closing the climb is not something to feel upset about but a cause for celebration.”
Uluru is regarded sacred to the Anangu people who have strongly discouraged tourists from scaling the rock for many years.
“It is an extremely important place, not a playground or theme park like Disneyland,” Wilson said.
“If I travel to another country and there is a sacred site, an area of restricted access, I don’t enter or climb it, I respect it. It is the same here for Anangu,” he added.
