Tarkine battle goes global

Clothing giant joins push for protection

TASMANIA’S Tarkine wilderness has gained a powerful ally which is putting pressure on the State Government to nominate the rainforest for World Heritage protection and return it to Aboriginal ownership.

Outdoor clothing giant Patagonia has joined forces with the Bob Brown Foundation to call for the wilderness area in Tasmania’s North-West to be made a national park and off limits to miners and loggers.

A petition has started on Patagonia’s website and a documentary about the fight to save the Tarkine is being screened around Australia and has gone live on Facebook.

The petition will be given to Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and the Federal Government.

Patagonia’s global vice president of public engagement Rick Ridgeway said he was eager to support the new conservation campaign, with the full backing and influence of the brand.

“Our aim is to lead the way in promoting long-term solutions to environmental problems and gaining World Heritage protection of takayna/Tarkine is just that,” Mr Ridgeway said.

Patagonia has recently worked to open five new national parks in Chile.

The Tasmanian Greens and the Wilderness Society have long called for the Tarkine to be made a national park to not only protect the wilderness but also increase eco-tourism.

In February, more than 1000 people marched through Hobart to call for “permanent protection” of the 100,000ha area. But in the leadup to the March election the Tasmanian Liberals said the Tarkine would not become a national park under their watch.

A Patagonia Facebook post says: “The takayna/Tarkine region of northwestern Tasmania is home to one of the last undisturbed tracts of Gondwanan rainforest in the world, and one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal archaeology in the hemisphere.”

Dr Brown said the international recognition of the Tarki- ne’s importance would weight to the cause.

“This is exciting for Tasmania and to see the Tarkine protected would be a great win for the state. As it stands, 90 per cent of the Tarkine is add under threat of mining and there are more than 150 coupes earmarked for logging. Aboriginal heritage is also under threat from vehicles,” Dr Brown said.

Dr Brown and Mr Ridgeway will launch the Patagonia film at premieres this week in Sydney, Melbourne and in Hobart at the State Cinema tonight.

The film is also launching this week in the US with screenings in Patagonia stores.