It’s estimated around 6000 of the iconic brumbies live in the park, with the government looking to reduce the population by 90 per cent over the next 20 years.

NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman invited the community to have its say on the draft wild horse management plan, now on public exhibition.

Mr Speakman said while wild horses would always be part of the cultural heritage of Kosciuszko National Park, current numbers were unsustainable and the horses were damaging the park’s fragile alpine environment.

The draft management plan was “cautiously welcomed” by the Invasive Species Council, but denounced by the Save the Brumbies organisation.

The Invasive Species Council said it was pleased with the methodical approach to “escalating environmental damage” caused to the national park, but said ruling out aerial shooting of the wild horses was “a fundamental flaw”.

Mr Speakman said the draft plan outlined how the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) proposes to reduce the population of wild horses “using a range of humane and cost-effective methods...including trapping, rehoming, mustering, ground shooting, fertility control and fencing”.

Aerial shooting, “brumbyrunning” and “roping” have been ruled out.

The draft plan proposes reducing numbers over the next 20 years to a permanent population of around 600, and identifies three locations in the park that could carry this smaller population with less environmental impact.

“Wild horse management is an emotive and complex issue. There are diverse opinions in the community and often deeply held views which polarise stakeholder groups,” Mr Speakman said.

“It is clear, however, that the broader community values the unique environmental values of Kosciuszko National Park and looks to NPWS to protect these values.”

The Draft Wild Horse Management Plan for Kosciuszko National Park and details on how to provide feedback can be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/protectsnowies. The draft plan will be on public exhibition until July 8.