Press release – 3 June, 2014Maules Creek, NSW: Today, two motorised para-gliders have taken to the sky above the Leard State Forest. The gliders are filming the devastation left in the wake of Whitehaven Coal’s bulldozing of critically endangered forest.The action occurred on the day of a mass snap rally in Sydney organised by a coalition of national environment groups, Labor and Greens MPs, concerned citizens and farmers.
The rally’s central demand was that NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes and Planning Minister Pru Goward halt clearing and launch an investigation into the impact of Whitehaven Coal’s winter clearance on hibernating species.
Footage taken from the para-gliders and rally will be available on request.
“The footage coming from our para-gliders is just heartbreaking,” said Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner, Nic Clyde who was, until last night, one of the activists sitting in the tree-tops on a giant rope web for over 100 hours.
“In just a few short days this controversial company has managed to destroy almost all of the critically endangered White Box forest.
“Animals living in the forest don’t stand a chance. The NSW Government has allowed Whitehaven to bulldoze through winter and we know those trees have animals like the sugar glider hibernating deep inside.
“These tragic images arrive on the eve of World Environment Day and suggest this new Baird government is not serious about looking after our natural environment.
“The only bright side of this sad story is that we know it is not too late for Ministers Rob Stokes and Pru Goward to act and protect the sleeping animals from danger by stopping further clearing. And we call on them to do just that,” said Mr Clyde.
Over 30 threatened native species, such as the koala and sugar glider, will be affected by the mine’s construction.
Contact for Greenpeace Media Team
:
Maules Creek – Julie Macken
0400 925 217
, Sydney – Alison Orme 0432 332 104 / Jessa Latona
0488 208 465
.
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