Introduction
An environmental policy is a combination of all actions intended to avoid interference with the environment, reduce it, and remedy damage to the environment that has already occurred. The primary purpose of civil activities is the reduction of violations of the natural environment rather than the elimination of the consequences of such violations (Ruru et., 2017). Thus, it is imperative to establish the crucial problems of Te Urewera and their possible solutions.
The General Description and Key Challenges
The land of Urewera is a mountainous region covered with green, untouched forest, with no cities or towns, only two tiny settlements of Ruatauna and Ruatoki. The land of Urewera was inhabited by the Tuho tribes, who guarded their ancestral lands with care and jealousy from interference by the British Crown (Hill & McKay, 2018). The determination of the Tuho tribes and the isolation and inaccessible terrain of mountains and impenetrable forests left the land of Urewera untouched by European colonists until the early twentieth century. However, with time, the Crown did establish its control of the area. In 1954, Te Urewera National Park was established within Urewera land to protect the environment (Binney, 2009). In 2014, Te Urewera National Park was abolished, and the area, like the Whanganui River, became a legal entity with the name Te Urewera (Lyver et al., 2014). Nowadays, Te Urewera is managed by the Te Urewera Council in close cooperation with the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Nevertheless, despite the liquidation of the national park, the land of Urewera remains accessible for visits and recreation; it is popular among hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. There are a number of hiking trails through the woodlands and around Lake Huicaremoana (Ruru, 2017). The Waikaremoana Besides hiking, it is possible to go fishing for rainbow trout on the lakes of Urewera land and hunt red deer, goats, and wild boars in the forests. However, it is obligatory to have a license, which can be purchased directly at the parking lot near the tourist village of Anivaniva (Kauffman, 2020). Meanwhile, among the unique and lush flora in this land covered with mountains and forests, there are all kinds of birds on the North Island.
Although there are significant problems with the conservation of flora and fauna in Te Urewera, the Heteralocha acutirostris (huia) is a large bird endemic to New Zealand. In the Maori culture of the indigenous people of these islands, the huia was considered a sacred bird (Wallace, 2016). The disappearance of the huia at the beginning of the XX century was due to two primary reasons; firstly, deforestation. Secondly, excessive hunting for long bright tail feathers as fashionable decoration for hats and stuffed animals was in great demand among wealthy museums and private collectors (Wallace, 2016). It is important to note that in 1999 a group of scientists held a special meeting in New Zealand at which they aimed to determine the possibility of revival of the huia.
The project attracted a lot of engagement in the country, and even the Maori tribes expressed their intention to participate in the resurrection of their sacred bird. An American startup, CyberUni, has undertaken to finance the project (Wallace, 2016). The major challenge is to find intact genetic material suitable for sequencing in at least one of the museum pieces. Therefore, the principal challenges are deforestation, excessive human involvement in the natural environment, and the hunting of animals. New Zealand was already at the forefront of the movement to protect human rights by nature after the passage of the Special Government Charter Act. In 2014, Te Urewera National Park became a management entity (Kauffman, 2020). Hence, this should provide it with the rights, powers, and responsibilities to establish control and sustainable development in the area. According to many environmentalists, granting legal status to the Earth is a step forward.
However, it can be complicated if all those involved, specifically corporations, judges, citizens, and other interested parties, do not agree to abide by the law. Many activists are also concerned that legal rights alone will not create already polluted or damaged ecosystems healthy again without a coordinated cleaning effort (Winter, 2021). Thus, the focus should be on the purification and restoration of Te Urewera. This will assist in creating the conditions that exist that will facilitate the return of nearly extinct animals to the ecosystem. At the same time, a coordinated approach will comprehensively address the problems. For example, the river has a right to flow and remain clean, and this right is documented (Winter, 2021). Although, they cannot only enshrine on paper the rights of nature to protect and preserve it in the long-term.
The river’s waters are protected from pollution, but this does not guarantee the protection of the shoreline or the conservation of the landscapes along the coastline. Perhaps a special legal status can help protect nature from the encroachment of significant capital (Winter, 2021). Although, it does not eliminate the matter of how to deal, for example, with nature tourism, traditional crafts, and subsistence farming, which are the basis of the economy of many territories.
The Plan for the Conservation of Te Urewera
Modern civilized human beings are more conscious of natural biodiversity. In addition, there are a number of nature protection organizations and foundations operating in the world, nature reserves are being established, and criminal and administrative liability is provided for hunting wild animals. Despite this, many animals are still on the edge of extinction (Esmail & Geneletti, 2018). Today’s responsibility is not only to avoid harming them but also to protect and conserve them.
Therefore, the fundamental forest protection and sustainable development measures that the UN agrees on are rational, environmentally appropriate, and limited deforestation. Although deforestation has already been abandoned in the Te Urewera National Nature Reserve, it is still essential to plant a new forest in place of the deforested one (Salmond et al., 2019). This will restore the flora for future generations and not just stop its destruction. It is also significant to note that rational preservation of berry, fodder, medicinal, and technical plants should be monitored; this is especially important during excursions for tourists (Burgos-Ayala et al., 2020). Indeed, the settlement of tourists, which occurs beyond Te Urewera, contributes to the fact that they do not damage nature because of their life activities. However, it is still imperative that they treat nature responsibly during direct interaction with it. Therefore, during tours, it is required to emphasize that even the destruction of a single plant is highly harmful to the overall ecosystem (Aitken et al., 2021). Increasing the level of environmental education and raising the conscious attitude of the population, especially young people, will contribute to conservation and sustainable development.
The next step concerns the recovery of lost species necessary for the development of Te Urewera. It is critical that existing laws not only prohibit actions aimed at destroying plants and animals but also propose methods for their restoration. For instance, it is conducting selection and seed trials to create forest flora species that are more productive and resistant to disease and pollution (Wehi et al., 2021). Moreover, the creation of forest shelter belts and water protection forest belts, recreational and protected areas of forests, and forest parks and massifs are significant for restoration.
Further, among the most vital measures for protecting wildlife are the following. The harshest fight against poaching, strengthening inspectorial control in the forests, and protection against epidemics and anthropogenic pollution contribute to preserving nature (Wehi et al., 2021). Even the issuing of licenses, which are now permits, should be stopped if there is a threat to a specific species of animals. It is crucial to emphasize that a new board formed in 2018 should control this issue and allow the issuance of licenses only if necessary to preserve the balance of species in nature (Lyver et al., 2019). This step will only allow people to adjust natural processes if required. Thus, it will promote species’ natural reproduction and functioning, as it was when the area was not subject to human influence.
In addition, a thorough study of rare and endangered species and the causes of their extinction is required. Accordingly, constantly support the development of scientific bases for improving situations and ecological forecasts based on environmental monitoring results (Beunen & Lata, 2021). Restoration of landscapes disturbed by man, restoration of soils, pastures, meadows, forests, and reservoirs according to scientifically grounded, far-sighted plans, and active development of protected areas are also of high significance (Sands, 2018). Thus, restoration should occur in a way that does not harm animals and the existing ecological conditions.
Sustainable Development Goals
Notably, the conservation of Te Urewera flora and fauna should be in accordance with the UN’s plan. In 2015, the UN had an ambitious fifteen-year plan to address the world’s challenges. The Sustainable Development Goals call on all elements of society, including local and state governments, businesses, industry, and individuals. Consensus, effective collaboration, and innovation are needed to achieve better performance. Thus, to preserve Te Urewera, it is not enough to pass appropriate laws but to correct the efforts of as many influential individuals and organizations as possible. This will help quickly and qualitatively repair the effects of the damage and preserve the natural ecosystem.
It should also be emphasized that accessibility and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving this objective implies that by 2030 there will be universal and equitable access to safe drinking water for all the world’s population (Bali Swain & Yang-Wallentin, 2020). In addition, by that date, it is planned to enhance water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating waste discharges, and treating wastewater more efficiently. For this purpose, a conservation plan is being coordinated, which consists of banning the pollution of water bodies and restoring and purifying them even from natural contamination.
Garbage has become an integral part of human existence; even technological progress has not yet eliminated waste and its consequences. By 2030, it is imperative to halve the global volume of food waste per person and promote recycling, recycling, and prevention of waste in general. According to the UN objectives, it is essential to substantially reduce the release of these substances into the air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Thus, this goal is global but consistent with the concept of development and conservation. That is because the reduction of harmful air emissions and the overall reduction of river pollution will enhance the nature of the park. At the same time, it will contribute to the fight against climate transformation.
Climate change negatively affects the development of flora and fauna even under conditions of significant care since animals and plants cannot adapt to the environment. Naturally, programs that monitor changes in the ecosystem and help adapt are critical in protecting Te Urewera. While timely responses to global climate change and public education to prevent and mitigate these changes will prevent damage to the ecosystem. If one were to characterize the goals of sustainable development, they aim to restore what humans have exploited mercilessly for centuries (Fonseca et al., 2020). Consequently, humanity must ensure the preservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The same point applies to combating dehydration, desertification, and land degradation. In addition, by 2030, the UN intends to end the poaching and smuggling of protected species of flora and fauna (Sachs et al., 2019). The Sustainable Development Goals also stipulate that humanity should take immediate measures to curb the degradation of natural environments. Furthermore, to stop the extinction of certain endangered biological species. Accordingly, the overall implementation of the goals will contribute to the conservation of flora and fauna in Te Urewera.
Conclusion
Therefore, human activity has a particularly acute impact on natural resources. In order to preserve Te Urewera, it is imperative not only to maintain existing species but also to attempt to restore long-lost ones. Accordingly, creating rules for visiting the park or restricting certain activities will preserve the ecosystem in its present form. At the same time, conducting research and studying the reasons for the decline or extinction of certain animal and plant species will restore biodiversity. Moreover, all the goals of sustainable development will reduce external negative impacts on Te Urewera.
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