Chief ranger to work in Nepal

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 7, 15 July 1986, Page 1

Chief ranger to work in Nepal

Bruce Jefferies, chief ranger at Tongariro National Park and his wife Margaret, leave Whakapapa this week in preparation for taking up a new position in Kathmandu, Nepal in August. Mr Jefferies has been chief ranger since 1979. He previously worked in Nepal as project manager for the New Zealand Sagarmatha National Park project based at Namche Bazaar in the Mt Everest region. Mr Jefferies, who began his national park career at Tongariro in 1966, has also been deputy leader of the Antarctic Research Programme at Scott base. He says that his is somewhat sad to be leaving Tongariro, especially as it prepares for its centennial next year, and when extensions to the Whakapapa Visitor Centre are about to begin. "For my wife Margaret and 1 the last seven years in Tongariro have " been an irreplaceable experience with tremendous high points and a share of tragedy and grief. "Without doubt the helicopteraccident in December 1982 and the disappearance of Roy and Anne Turner with their family were some of the lowest points I have experienced." But he said that on the other hand the seven years

had provided a whole range of positive experiences. Margaret Jefferies has also worked for Lands and Survey doing relieving administration work and reception. She said she had done just about every job while living at Whakapapa. This last year she has been a seasonal interpreter, helping Chris Rudge with the park journal. She has also sold parking tickets, worked at Iwikau Shelter and the road barrier. Mr Jefferies is concerned about the pressures which he believes will continue to beset the Tongariro National Park. "A major pressure is the chipping away of Tongariro's integrity as a protected area. That is not to suggest that I do not see winter sports activity as a legitimate use of the park, but this is only one of a whole raft of impacts that are affecting the fundamental philosophy of the park. "The pressure from concessionaires is going to be enormous and I do not believe that we have come to terms with the fact that there will necd to be carrying capacities established and constraints put on development. "What we need is a strong professional commitment to standing up and being counted in this area and say-

ing that in spite of the pressure, there are limits and until there are good reasons to prove otherwise, restrictions will be placed." Mr Jefferies'job in Nepal is chief technical advisor under the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. He is to be responsible for updating management plans for Nepal's national parks and reserves, particularly in mountain areas.

He will also train national park and wildlife personnel and set up a conservation education programmes for the country. Nepal has particular conservation problems in the massive deforestation that has taken place in mountain areas causing serious soil erosion. Bruce and Margaret Jefferies are familiar with Nepal from their last visit and are looking forward to living there again.