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An Australian has been heavily fined for cutting a path through a national park without permission. Reason: The man wanted to build a two-kilometer road to his estate through Bowling Green Bay National Park in the state of Queensland.
A court in the city of Townsville sentenced him to a fine of almost 145,000 Australian dollars (84,200 francs), news agency AAP reported on Thursday, citing the judiciary. The money will be used, among other things, to reforest the affected area.
In total there is 19,000 square meters of land – that’s about three football fields. It was said that the now convicted man had previously been banned by the responsible environmental authority from mining parts of the national park and wetlands. However, he did not follow this order and destroyed thousands of mangroves between October 2019 and June 2020. Authorities say it will take years for the important ecosystem to recover.
“Ecological area of international importance”
The man also used a combination of earth, stones, concrete, bricks and used pipes to build a boat ramp and several causeways over streams. This caused even more damage. “This individual’s brutal actions have deliberately caused serious environmental damage to one of the world’s most important wetland ecosystems,” said Craig Dunk of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
The wetlands of Bowling Green Bay National Park are listed as an “ecological area of international importance.” They provide habitat for endangered species such as green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles and several migratory shorebirds. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
