Posted
6th June2001
Good News On NZ Southern Rainforest
The New Zealand Government announced today that all 130,000ha
of Timberlands' native forests will be transferred to the Department
of Conservation. "Native Forest Action is delighted these very
important lowland forests will finally be added to the conservation
estate," said Native Forest Action spokesperson Peter Russell.
"This is a great day for the forests and a wonderful victory
for non-violent direct action. It's the result of decades of
campaigning and strong public support for the protection of
our remaining lowland forests."
However,
government is allowing rimu logging to continue in Okarito and
other South Westland forests until April 2002. "Native Forest
Action will not be holding its celebration until all the logging
has been stopped. "We'd like to thank all those people and organisations
who contributed to saving these forests over the years, especially
Buller Conservation Group and the Forest and Bird Protection
Society," said Mr Russell. "This is an important defeat of the
myth of 'sustainable management'.
Our
precious lowland, old-growth forests are far too important to
be used for dubious logging experiments." "Canada, Chile and
the United States have all recently stopped logging and road
construction in vast areas of publicly owned natural forests,"
said Mr Russell. "Today's announcement goes a long way towards
maintaining New Zealand's reputation as a leader in environmental
issues." For further information, contact Peter Russell or Steve
Abel at 04/383-5168 or 021/565-175 ."
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