Главная страница | Контакты | Случайная страница Автомобили Астрономия Биология География Дом и сад Другие языки Другое Информатика История Культура Литература Логика Математика Медицина Металлургия Механика Образование Охрана труда Педагогика Политика Право Психология Религия Риторика Социология Спорт Строительство Технология Туризм Физика Философия Финансы Химия Черчение Экология Экономика Электроника

Aboriginal History in the Daintree Rainforest.

The traditional indigenous owners of land at the Daintree Rainforest are the Kuku Yalariji tribe.

The Kuku Yalariji people, one of thousands of Aboriginal Australian tribes in the country, are believed to have inhabited the rainforest for more than 9000 years.

Research shows that the aborigines used the rainforest plants and trees to make material goods such as wooden shields and swords to defend themselves against rival tribes, woven baskets for carrying goods, and bark cloth as fish traps.

Aboriginal history in the Daintree Rainforest was totally devoid of European interference for thousands of years. However, the discovery of gold in the Hodgkinson River in 1877 changed everything. Mineral explorations, tin mining and the development of a Palmerston trading road shattered the lifestyle and culture the Kuku Yalariji had maintained.

Local Aboriginal groups from the Daintree Rainforest region were moved to the Mossman Gorge Reserve, which is still active today.

The Kuku Yalariji people are an integral and important part of the Daintree Rainforest. Everyone who visits the area must be aware of this historical significance.

Environmental Issues in the Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest has survived enormous environmental challenges over 135 million years. However, a new force capable of destroying this unique and special environment now threatens the Daintree Rainforest. The threat is human.

There are four major threats to the natural environment:

• Logging. Parts of the rainforest are controlled by the Queensland Forestry Department, who could cut ancient trees and sell the timber for high prices.
• Mining is another threat, although has not yet become active. Tin mining leases are held over parts of the area, and if these go ahead many plants and animal species will be lost.
• Tourism also has an affect on the area. More than 400 000 people visit the region each year, which means thousands of buses, 4WD’s, and passenger cars drive through the rainforest. The vast majority of tourism operators are highly aware of their impact on the environment and take steps to minimise their impact.
• Development by private enterprise is arguably the most dangerous aspect of human activity in the area. Subdivision of land, building of fences, and development of roads leads to hazardous conditions for native animals that often need to cross the fences or roads to get to their food source.

The latest political policy initiative aimed at saving the Daintree Rainforest is nicknamed ‘buy back’. The aim of this plan is for government to purchase freehold blocks of land in the area and return them to national park status. Therefore, no development can occur on these sites.

The other hot issue for residents in the Daintree Rainforest is about establishing grid power in the area. Currently, there are no power lines and all properties run on solar power or generators. Many landowners want the government to install power lines so they can run air conditioners and other high-energy consuming products. There is little doubt that grid power would make life easier for the people who live in the rainforest, however the impact on the environment is severe. The Daintree Rainforest is well known for its beauty. It is also becoming well known for the grappling between environmentalists and developers. Whatever compromise is reached, it needs to be in the best interests of the Daintree Rainforest.

REFERENCES

List of references:

1. http://www.daintree-rec.com.au/daintree.html
2. http://www.daintreerainforest.com/aboriginal.html
3. http://www.bom.gov.au
4. http://www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas/data/wh/wettropi.html
5. http://whc.unesco.org