The stunning untouched lakes, mountains and forests of Tasmania's ''wilderness'' region are recognised internationally for their cultural and environmental value. However, the Tasmanian government is now seeking to reduce protection of this unique world heritage site, putting it at risk of devastating logging.
A new plan axes wording from the area’s previous strategy document that pledged to ensure the world heritage site remained “in as good or better condition than at present”. It also aims to remove the term “wilderness” which will open up the land to logging, cruise ships and aircraft landing strips.
The Tasmanian campaign manager at the Wilderness Society, Vica Bayley, said the new plan was “atrocious”.
“The rezoning of the wilderness area is highly divisive and is a backwards step in the protection of the area,” he told Guardian Australia. “Wilderness is a management tool that has underpinned the protection of the world heritage area and it has also helped the tourism industry and Tasmania’s brand.” Bayley said the conservation movement would take “community, political and international action” against the plan.
Whilst the term ''wilderness'' needs qualifying or updating to recognise Aboriginal culture and society in those areas, the replacement wording must protect the area rather than opening it up to exploitation.
Please sign this petition to demand that any new plans retain a strong and unwavering commitment to protecting the land, that they retain the commitment to keeping the land in as good or better condition, and that they recognise the cultural presence and rights of Aboriginals living in the area.
