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| The ban on climbing Uluru had long been sought by the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, whose connection to the site dates back tens of thousands of years (AFP Photo/Saeed KHAN) |
Uluru (Australia) (AFP) - Indigenous Australians performed songs and traditional dance as the sun set over Uluru on Sunday, capping a weekend of celebrations to mark the historic ban on climbing the sacred site.
The
ceremony was held two days after a final surge of tourists who had flocked to
central Australia scaled the giant red monolith before its closure to climbers.
A crowd
gathered late Friday at the base of the site to watch rangers erect the
"permanently closed" sign, in line with the long-held wishes of
indigenous Australians.
"No
more climbing today," shouted indigenous elder Nelly Patterson.
"Close it," she yelled to a loud cheer from the crowd.
 |
Previously
known as Ayers Rock, the site was officially returned to the Anangu
in 1985
(AFP Photo/Saeed KHAN)
|
The ban,
first announced in 2017, had long been sought by the traditional owners of the
land, the Anangu, whose connection to the site dates back tens of thousands of
years.
As well as
respecting cultural practices, the ban is designed to protect the site from
further environmental damage and ensure visitors' safety.
"We
are all very happy, as traditional owners, that the climb is closed now, after
a long fight from handback to today," Reggie Uluru told reporters through
an interpreter on Saturday.
Previously
known as Ayers Rock, the site was officially returned to the Anangu in 1985.
Signs at
its base had implored visitors not to climb it, but they were regularly ignored
by some, especially in recent months as thousands made last-minute ascents.
"I think it is important that mother nature has a bit of a break," the last climber at Uluru, James Martin, said.
 |
Tourists
are still being encouraged to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where
they can view the monolith from its base, walk around its perimeter and learn
about
its indigenous heritage (AFP Photo/Saeed KHAN)
|
"I think it is important that mother nature has a bit of a break," the last climber at Uluru, James Martin, said.
"I
would like to say to the Aboriginals that we are sorry and the world does
indeed belong to every single person who was born on the planet," the
Australian told reporters as he came off the rock at sunset on Friday.
Parks
Australia added extra rangers on patrol over the weekend, with fines for those
who attempt to summit the rock now reaching up to Aus$10,000 ($6,800).
 |
The
ceremony was held two days after a final surge of tourists who had flocked
to
central Australia scaled the giant red monolith before its closure to climbers
(AFP Photo/Saeed KHAN)
|
"Although
we expect our visitors to respect the law and the wishes of traditional owners
when they visit, significant penalties can be issued," Parks Australia
told national broadcaster ABC.
Work is
expected to begin next week to remove a chain that was used by climbers to make
the steep ascent.
Tourists
are still being encouraged to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where
they can view the monolith from its base, walk around its perimeter and learn
about its indigenous heritage at the cultural centre.
Uluru closed to climbers after crowds make final ascent
Climbing Australia's giant red rock Uluru banned
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Uluru closed to climbers after crowds make final ascent
Climbing Australia's giant red rock Uluru banned
The Creation Choir - Mar 21, 2015 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) (Pair 5 - Node: Ulura, Australia & Null: Mount Logan, Yukon Northern Territories, Canada are revealed & activated. The 12 Pleiadians time capsules (The Nodes and Nulls of Earth) within Gaia will now gradually receive information)
These time capsules need to be on the planet as a guide or blueprint for the starting creative energy of Gaia [the Creation Template]. Kryon has told us: that as the time capsules are slowly released, they modify The Crystalline Grid to help Human consciousness shift, and eventually create an ascended planet. (Text version "The Fast-Track Systems")
These time capsules need to be on the planet as a guide or blueprint for the starting creative energy of Gaia [the Creation Template]. Kryon has told us: that as the time capsules are slowly released, they modify The Crystalline Grid to help Human consciousness shift, and eventually create an ascended planet. (Text version "The Fast-Track Systems")
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