In pictures: Indigenous Protected Areas

Boys painted with white ochre, or gapung, in readiness for a welcoming ceremony near Maningrida to celebrate the creation of the Djelk IPA.

Pandanus palms cling to the sand dunes of the central Arnhem coast; part of the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area, which covers 6732sq.km of central Arnhem Land plateau country, woodlands, floodplains and coastal areas out into the Arafura Sea.

Sunset over the South Alligator River and valley, adjoining Kakadu NP, Arnhem Land – this is part of the Warddeken IPA.

Senior landowner Mary Kalkkiwara and other women gather water tuber – ankodjbang – in a creek running off the Arnhem Land Plateau, part of the Warddeken IPA.

A forest of pandanus palms in a wetland area of an Arnhem Land swamp which sits in the Djelk IPA.

A group of Warddeken Rangers prepare to burn areas in the early dry season with the help of rakes and leaf blowers. The Warddeken IPA covers 13,704sq.km of spectacular stone and gorge country on the western Arnhem Land plateau. The area adjoins Kakadu National Park.

A flock of magpie geese (Anseranas semipalmata) are wary of Aboriginal hunters – and with good reason, as these plump birds make popular bush tucker.

Rock art painting of early explorer Ludwig Leichhardt – one of many important Aboriginal cultural sites in the Warddeken IPA.

A two-metre saltwater crocodile relaxes in the shore break of the Arafura Sea, part of the Djelk IPA.

Djelk sea rangers, including Samuel Gulwa and Alwyn Pascoe, patrol the coast of Arnhem Land for quarantine and customs, checking on illegal fishing and other potential breaches of Australian law.

A remote freshwater billabong in western Arnhem Land. The Warddeken IPA, east of Kakadu NP, has been incorporated into the National Reserve System. It is managed by local Aboriginal people who have responsibility for looking after an area that is rich in fauna and flora and important cultural sites.

As seen from a helicopter, the East Alligator River flows out of Arnhem Land, fuelled by storms in the Top End wet season.

Terrah Guymala and daughter Aspelita fishing in a billabong atop the Arnhem Land plateau, part of the Djelk IPA.

Pristine white sandy beaches to the east of Maningrida in the Djelk IPA.

Armed with an old Russian rifle and machete, Alan Nadjamerrek (left) and Terence Brown go hunting for buffalo, pigs and wallaby at Makkalarl outstation, part of the Warddeken IPA.

The colourful Leichhardt’s grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) can only be found on pityrodea plants in escarpment areas of Western Arnhem Land.

Binninj Aboriginal girls help scientists capture mammals for a fauna survey in the Warddeken IPA. Walking across their country helps indigenous landowners reacquaint themselves with names and places.