The Environment Centre NT, the Northern Territory's peak conservation body, is fighting plans to clear what it describes as "ecologically important" tropical savanna to make way for the new crop.

Under powers given to it by the NT government, the NT Pastoral Land Board last year permitted multinational corporation Clean Agriculture and International Tourism to clear 923 hectares at Auvergne Station in the Victoria River region of the Northern Territory.

The Environment Centre will argue the permit is invalid because growing cotton is not a "pastoral purpose" under the Pastoral Land Act.

It is the first time a court will test the territory's land clearing laws under the Pastoral Land Act.

The Northern Land Council has also commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court, challenging the same land clearing permit.

"The Northern Territory's savanna is a national treasure, part of a largely intact ecosystem stretching from Cape York to the Kimberley," Environment Centre Executive Director Kirsty Howey said.

"But it is in crisis. Like the Great Barrier Reef, it's a vital ecosystem that's literally collapsing before our eyes. The Northern Territory government should be doing all it can to protect it.

"Land clearing is skyrocketing in the Northern Territory, spurred in part by the cotton industry's huge expansion plans. It is the biggest threat to biodiversity in Australia and clearing for cotton will decimate local wildlife, impact rivers and add to greenhouse gas emissions."

In November 2022 a delegate of the Pastoral Land Board granted a permit to Clean Agriculture to clear 923.33 hectares of native vegetation under the NT government's new "streamlined" process.

The corporation is proposing to use 249 hectares of the area to grow cotton.

If successful, the Environment Centre says cotton growers would only be able to clear tropical savanna with proper oversight and scrutiny.

Australian Associated Press