The Tasmanian government is planning to take the ‘wilderness’ out of the state’s iconic Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The government wants to rezone wilderness areas to allow logging, tourism developments and even aircraft and ship access under a draft revised management plan, effectively removing the strict guidelines for development and tourism in the area.
As well as suggesting the term ‘wilderness’ be dumped from the title of the 1.5 million hectare area which covers a fifth of the state, the draft plan reclassifies its dominant wilderness zone as a ‘natural zone’.
The plan has drawn fierce criticism from both conservationists and scientists, as it undermines the world heritage area's values and is also viewed as part of an ideological attack on conservation in pursuit of logging.
Furthermore, Tasmania's south-west quarter is one of Australia's last wild places, which is irreplaceable. The ancient forests of Tasmania should be preserved as part of Australia’s natural heritage.
Please sign and share the petition to demand the Tasmanian government does not rezone wilderness areas to allow development and logging.
