An environmental group fears further commercialisation of conservation land could end up ruining the tourism industry.
The Department of Conservation is to set up a business unit to expand and improve commercial activities on public land, as it deals with a $13 million cut in annual funding.
Currently, 4500 concessions are held by business operations on land managed by DoC.
The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand says the move could put the $21 tourism industry, which is based on conservation, at risk.
The lobby group says DoC's plans point in the same direction as other ideas for mines in national parks and a highway between Mt Aspiring - Fiordland.
