AU$ 2.3 Billion for the Great Barrier Reef

Australia funds poured in approximately three thousand reefs and 900 islands

Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef at the Whitsunday Islands, Australia - Image credit Sarah Ackerman

World Heritage sites in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia is one of the pride of the people of Australia, the world community to acknowledge one of nature's great.

But. Present a problem with the decision taken by UNESCO, since the area of the island and reef that stretches along 2,600 km will be included in the list of status 'endangered', of course, the Australian government will try effort in order not included in that status.

Why? Problems with a negative rating to the Great Barrier Reef, according to an article on the sites CNN Indonesia, December 3rd, will embarrass the Australian government and undermine the country's tourism industry. According to Deloitte Access Economics report in 2013, the region to bring revenues of US$ 3.9 billion per year.

Referring to a first report submitted by a team of scientists UNESCO, the Australian government has promised to disburse AU$ 1.3 billion, to improve the ecosystem of the world, during the next five years.

Of course, the Australian government will be serious, for example, last June, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also pledged funds amounting to AU$ 1 billion, bringing the total funds reach AU$ 2.3 billion.

The area is very extensive and requires the attention of all parties involved to improve water quality and ecosystem health, including a program to minimize spills of chemicals from agricultural areas.

Need the cooperation of both sides, UNESCO will study the development of the project, due consideration to revise the list of the status of the site.

Citing the sites of Reuters, Josh Frydenberg, Minister of Environment and Energy of Australia, said, "This report is expected to make Australia to avoid a threatened status by UNESCO."

Despite the funds disbursed have been so great, but the positive attention of various parties to give other feedback, while most other environmental groups who denounced the report comes just days after being quite heavy damage.

For example, from Shani Tager, coral savior activity of Greenpeace Australia.

"It is unacceptable for the government congratulated themselves about the handling of the health of the reef without promising significant development."

May need to refer directly to the location, as presented by Australian researchers, last week, two-thirds of 700 km reef that runs along the Great Barrier Reef, is dead since nine months ago, and was recorded as the worst in the World Heritage Site.

There is no other way for Australia, except to give full attention to the recovery of this coral reef area.

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Source: L Kertopati - CNN Indonesia, Reuters
Image: Sarah Ackerman via Wikipedia