An area of Canada’s central coast rainforest, which was the focus of a long environmental campaign against logging, has been protected by the British Columbia government.
About 440,000ha in the Great Bear Rainforest, home to the white kermode bear, have been declared off-limits to commercial logging until 2003 when land-use planning and consultation with First Nations is expected to be completed.
The protection zone was recommended a year ago by environment groups including Greenpeace and forest companies including International Forest Products (Interfor).
The government’s order allows for the suspension of forest development permits and for reducing the annual harvest rate in the area. Sustainable development expert Robert Prescott-Allen will head a team to develop ecosystem-based management in the area.
Another 17 ‘option’ areas of rainforest will be researched with a view to further protection orders.
