The Department of Conservation is under pressure about clearing private baches and cribs from its land.
The National and Green parties have condemned DoC's draft general policy to phase out private accommodation.
However, environmental lobby group Forest and Bird said baches on conservation land were illegal and could have a significant impact
on the landscape and native species.
Field officer Eugenie Sage said some quaint baches had been transformed into substantial private residences on prime land.
Owners who brought in dogs or exotic plants were also threatening native species. "The population is increasing, and there is more pressure on our wilder areas.
"What could have seemed inconsequential 50 years ago can now have significant impacts."
But National environment spokesman Nick Smith said DoC's draft policy was "pure and absolutist", and urged it to consider each case on its merits.
"The vast bulk [of baches] are in remote areas where they do not significantly impact on either the environment or other public users, and it makes no sense to have this approach that everyone must go."
Baches which had an impact on other users of public conservation land were the exception, he said. "It is a heavy-handed approach."
It was an apparent contradiction to allow Ngai Tahu exclusive camp sites on conservation land, Dr Smith said.
The tribe was awarded 72 temporary campsites, or nohoanga, beside lakes and rivers as part of its 1997 settlement. They can be used only by Ngai Tahu people, and are open only for certain months of the year.
While Dr Smith supported the nohoanga concept, he argued that many New Zealand families also had long-standing associations with areas.
"It does seem a double standard. If you are going to recognise customary rights they need to be recognised for all people's backgrounds."
Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said many longstanding bach owners served a valuable watchdog role on conservation estates.
"They are the most outspoken guardians of the area and DoC should be trying to work in partnership with these people.
"I don't think we need to be this purist. We shouldn't be building any more, but I don't see what harm they are doing, provided the owners operate according to strict rules."
The row is symbolised by eight baches, dating back to 1946, on former Forest Service land in West Coast's Big Bay.
When the land was transferred to DoC, the owners were issued short-term concessions but were assured they were likely to be renewed for longer terms.
A Southland Conservancy spokesman, Colin Pemberton, conceded this assurance was thrown into doubt by the proposed national policy. "We will have to comply."
A spokesman for Conservation Minister Chris Carter said the policy was nowhere near finalised, and the minister was interested in the public's views.
Rangitoto Island baches
* The bach communities on Rangitoto Island built on what is now DoC land in the 1920s and 1930s were DIY classics. About 120 were built.
* Since 1957 site leases have been extinguished on the death of the lessee and the bach either removed or demolished.
* In 1996, 34 still stood and DoC notified bach owners whose lease had expired that a small group of baches would be allowed to remain and that removal of others would proceed.
* Late last year restoration work was under way on the bach pictured.
Rangitoto Island
- NZPA
The Department of Conservation is under pressure about clearing private baches and cribs from its land.
The National and Green parties have condemned DoC's draft general policy to phase out private accommodation.
However, environmental lobby group Forest and Bird said baches on conservation land were illegal and could have a significant impact
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