South East Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project (SEALFA) Project

The South East Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project (SEALFA) is a Savanna Fire Management project located in the remote South East Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory. The project area spans approximately 522,164 hectares and is situated roughly 360km east of Katherine and north of the Ngukurr community. Registered in August 2015, the project operates within the South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), a region primarily dedicated to conservation and traditional Indigenous land management.

This project employs the "Emissions Abatement through Savanna Fire Management" methodology. This involves conducting strategic, planned burns during the early dry season (typically cooler and damper months) to reduce the fuel load on the ground. By creating a patchwork of burnt areas, the project prevents the spread of high-intensity, uncontrolled wildfires during the late dry season. This shift in fire regime reduces the emission of greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide, generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

The project is located in the high rainfall zone of the tropical savannas, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The landscape features eucalypt open woodlands with grassy understoreys, supported by soils that are typically sandy loams, red earths, and lateritic formations common to the Arnhem Land plateau.

A key aspect of SEALFA is its social and cultural impact. The project is facilitated by ALFA (NT) Limited, an Aboriginal-owned carbon business, and relies on the traditional knowledge and active participation of local ranger groups, specifically the Yugul Mangi Rangers and Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers. Income generated from the carbon credits is reinvested into these community ranger programs, supporting ongoing land care and employment in the region.