Gondwana Campaign Update

Campaign structure

In December 2000, forest campaigners held the second Gondwana Forest Sanctuary meeting in New Zealand, and formed the Gondwana Steering Committee, comprising delegates from Chile, New Zealand, Russia, Australia and the United States. The terms of reference for the committee include recognition of Indigenous sovereignty; sustainable management on and off forest reserves; and community education about the importance and history of Gondwannic forests.

Forest Protection Achieved

Determined and creative campaigning by an international coalition of forest defenders has resulted in significant progress in protecting Gondwannic forests in South America, with the preservation of over five million hectares in a trans-Andean wilderness complex and a number of private reserves. Likewise in April 2002, the government of New Zealand declared protection for all remaining native forests on public land. However, logging and clearfelling continues unabated on mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Mapping and Sister Parks

One of the initial campaign goals, mapping the forests at the `Beginning of the World' in Patagonia, has been completed. These are the world's southernmost forests, and they form a cornerstone of the Gondwana Sanctuary. Mapping of other areas is to follow. A `Sister Park' proposal is also being developed whereby national parks in Chile and in New Zealand are being nominated as each country's contribution towards a Gondwana Forest Sanctuary.

Lobbying

Tasmania's Tarkine rainforest is Australia's largest remaining temperate rainforest. It is under great pressure from road building and clearfelling for wood chips and deep red myrtle (old growth Nothofagus cunninghamii) lumber. An international group of conservationists visited the Tarkine in 2000, and sent the "Tarkine Forest Declaration" to both the Tasmanian and Australian governments, supporting the nomination of the Tarkine as the area most worthy of becoming Australia's contribution to the Gondwana Forest Sanctuary.

Education

The Gondwana Steering Committee has developed a short animated video demonstrating that a plantation is not a forest. This has been used in the heated debate over plantation forestry in Chile. The Committee also has produced a bilingual poster linking Patagonia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Australia.

Trails

Sendero Gondwana - Trekking Path Gondwana
Gondwana campaigners in Chile and Argentina have proposed a footpath in the native subantarctic forests of Patagonia, starting from southern Tierra del Fuego and connecting forest patches in the provinces of Santa Cruz, Chubut and Neuquén. The idea of this signed pathway is to allow trekkers to enjoy the magic of these forests while educating them and guiding them through the magical forests of Gondwana. A path 42 km long already exists from the shores of the Beagle Channel to Lago Fagnano, with the main attraction being the ancient, weathered Nothofagus forests.

Great Western Tiers / Kooparoona Niara
In Tasmania, Gondwana campaigners have gained community and agency support for a Gondwana Forest Trail and integrated tourism development and interpretation project along the foot of the Great Western Tiers, where significant Gondwannic forest remains.