Wilderness provided in new forests bill

Press, 9 July 1976, Page 3

Wilderness provided in new forests bill

PA Wellington A Forests Amendment Bill providing for the establishment of wilderness areas to which the public will have the right of free entry was introduced in Parliament by the Minister of Forests (Mr V. S. Young). The areas will be designated bv the Governor-General through Order-in-Council, and will be formed in areas of indigenous State forest land.

They are to be maintained in, or allowed to reven to. “a state of nature.”

No buildings or other development will be allowed I in the areas except foot: tracks through them. Ani-| mals or vehicles will not be| permitted unless the Mini-: ster of Forests considers: vehicles should he permitted; in to maintain the “state of nature” of the areas. Public freedom of entry! will be restricted only ini cases where it is felt restric-

tions should be imposed forb the protection of native flora ; and fauna or “the general i welfare” of the particular i area. Provision is also made ' to open areas of indigenous ; State forest areas to the public. The functions of the Forest i Service are broadened to em- 1 phasise the regard it must i have for protection of indige- 1 nous flora and fauna, and 1 water and soil management. 1 Under the bill the Minister of ’ Forests may have surveys i undertaken on environmental protection, and educational and scientific studies not con- : nected with forestry. I Fines for the illegal cut- I ting of timber from State 1 forests are increased from $2OO to .$5OO and for destroy- 1 ing wildlife in State forests I from $lOO to $3OO i It will be an offence to 1 remove Maori artefacts from i State forests without authority and to refuse to 1 I leave a State forest when < ordered to do so by a forest <

(officer because the offender’s actions or behaviour may “be prejudicial to forest management or public safety, or likely to insult, offend or annoy the public within the forest.” Some areas of State forest may be set aside under the bill as recreation areas and others established as State forest. The Minister is able to delegate powers to honorary forest rangers as well as to staff of the forest service. Mr Young said there were 1000 honorary forest rangers and the powers given to them would be appropriate to the individual rangers and to the forests concerned. “There are 15 million acres to be protected in 300 different forests, and for this reason I am grateful to have the assistance of honorary rangers.” he said. The bill was referred to the Lands and Agriculture Committee of Parliament for consideration.