Some of the Threats
 | The present national park system is considered
inadequate, with less than 5% of many rainforest types protected (Cassells,
1988). These include some of the rarest types, among which the
mesophyll vine forest and notophyll vine forest that occur on beach
sand are totally unprotected (RSCQ, 1986). |
| Survival of rainforests in state forests and timber
reserves is not assured in view of the Department of Forestry's
continuing policy of 'sustained yield' logging. For example, Mount
Windsor Tableland and Downey Creek, two of the last remaining areas of
virgin forests, have been logged (Aitken and Leigh, 1987). |
| The integrity of the region's national parks is not
inviolate, as illustrated by the construction of a highly
controversial road through Cape Tribulation National Park (Aitken and
Leigh, 1987) and reports of illegal logging within the park. |
| Other areas are threatened by tin mining, agriculture
and real estate developments (Aitken and Leigh, 1987). |
| Other threats include: |
 | invasion of cleared and disturbed forests by Lantana
camara and tobacco Solanum mauritianum; |
| tree deaths caused by the woody vine Thunbergia
grandiflora, introduced from northern India; |
| outbreaks of soil fungus Phytophthora cinnamoni
in logged areas, causing patch deaths of trees and shrubs (DASETT,
1987). |
| Feral pigs, cats and dogs cause considerable damage
both to the undergrowth and more seriously to native mammals and
bird species. In particular cassowary chick survival rates are
extremely low as feral pigs in packs of up to 50 have developed a
taste for their eggs. |
| A very controversial commercial development known as 'Skyrail'
was constructed in the area in 1995. Its effects on the free movement
of canopy-dwelling species across the line of the cableway is unknown
as are other impacts of tourism in the area of the cable development. |
| A proposal to augment the hydroelectric facility at
Tully-Millstream is under consideration. |
| Human Rights abuses are still common in Queensland -
the Deaths in Custody commission is still called upon to investigate
our prisons on a regular basis. |
|
Atoxic promotes and
supports:
Eco Tourism and Nature Tourism Community Projects, particularly
Indigenous People’s Projects
Eco Tourism is more than a green sticker. it is about :
| Involvement of local Artist and Cultural Groups in all tourism and
environmental projects |
| A percentage of all sales made being devoted to environmental and
community projects |
| facilitating visitor contributions to local conservation initiatives
after the trip by sending follow-up mailings to clients with local
non-profit membership literature, |
| brief opportunities to do volunteer services, or opportunities
to work at home by being an ambassador or fund raiser or organizer for
local projects. |
| obtaining and distributing cultural guidelines written by the local
community advising visitors on appropriate behaviour when
photographing, when purchasing and tipping, and when responding to
begging. |
| All catalogues and promotional material will use recycled
paper. |
| using solar power in our offices to supplement mains
supply. |
| promoting the use of rainwater for drinking and washing on tours,
and non-detergent washing products and crystal soaps. |
| Motor vehicles should, by preference, be LPG powered and
efficiently employed by sharing transport amongst operators and the
local community. We aim to choose engines using low pollutant fuels as
they become available (eg: dual electric/IC, electric, biomass fuel,
methane gas, hydrogen etc.. and eventually solar powered etc..) |
| Where possible alternative transport options should be
promoted (eg: bicycle, foot, canoe) Horses, mules and camels will be
promoted in appropriate areas (eg: Bicentennial National Trail) |
| Meals should be packed in non-plastic bags and containers All
food and packaging materials should be removed and disposed of
properly. Oil from vehicles should be delivered to recycling depots. |
| actively supporting Clean Up Australia and local campaigns to
clean up beaches and waterways through “Adopt-A-River” type
schemes. |
| instigating projects to collect and bring recycled products to
recycling depots as part of normal tourist operations. Ideas include
clothing recycling (to be shredded and used as insulation); metal and
plastic delivered to appropriate reception centres. |
| ensuring that tourists are educated about buying local goods,
particularly artefacts, didgeridoos, clap-sticks, painting etc.. All
art forms including dance, bush tucker, cave painting should be
exposed to the tourist in it’s natural environment. |
| inviting tourists to the actual workshops so that they can
meet the artists, watch products being made and learn about the artist’s
culture. |
| Tourists should be provided full listings of threatened or
endangered species in the area to avoid misunderstandings. |
|
