鈥渓utruwita has lost the vast majority of its old forests to native forest logging,鈥 Rohan from Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT) said on January 22.
鈥淭his pillaging of the environment is creating severe consequences that affect us all 鈥 irrevocably damaging water catchments, destroying biodiversity, ruining carbon stocks, and making communities more vulnerable to fire.鈥
Rohan was among a handful of activists who stopped logging in the West Kunanyi Range, part of the Wellington Range. He had attached himself to several machines while suspended from a mature gum tree and stopped the morning鈥檚 work.
The logging coupe lies within the drinking catchment for nipaluna/Hobart, and has never been logged industrially before.聽
This action was part of a campaign 鈥20 days of action in defence of lutruwita鈥 being promoted by Paran谩 Elder Uncle Jim Everett (puralia meenamatta).
Rohan said he was responding to Uncle Jim鈥檚 call to 鈥減rotect native forests and respect traditional law in Country鈥.
鈥淭he law of the land requires us to be in right relationship with Country. It鈥檚 more than just ending native forest logging and the immense carbon pollution that contributes to the climate and ecological crisis: it鈥檚 about completely rethinking our relationship with the more-than-human world.
Most of the product from logging native forests is woodchips for export to Asia.
The devastation of lutruwita鈥檚 ecosystems has not come about by chance, GRANT said, adding it is the result of capitalism and colonialism which 鈥渧iolently controls every aspect of our lives鈥.
鈥淭hese structures fuel a worldview that divides humanity from the rest of the living world, frame the environment and ourselves as resources to be exploited and seek always some new 鈥榟orizon鈥 for 鈥榞rowth鈥.
鈥淭his mindset is that of a conqueror 鈥 a disconnect from place and people.鈥澛
Rohan believes the forests, river and moss have a 鈥渞ight to life鈥. 鈥淓ntering into right relationship is about acknowledging all life in Country and building respectful relationships with the people and land around us.
鈥淭hat is why I am doing this action: to stop the senseless destruction of this sacred living Country.鈥
grant_4.jpeg
