Attractions in Philip Island and the Impacts of Urbanization - Essay Example

Aim A study tour was conducted to Philip Island to understand better the natural environment, the impacts of urbanization on itself and also on the surrounding areas. Introduction Philip Island named after its then colonial Governor is just 140 kilometers south-east of Melbourne. Philip Island home of penguins, kolas, shear waters, with a striking coastline of sandy beaches, rough rocky beaches, mangroves, wetlands and a touch of history are so unique that it in itself provides a great wild life experience. As a stepping stone to conserve and protect the natural wonder and wildlife of the island, in 1990's The Philip Island Nature park has come to being. Methodology The route took was direct through Burnley tunnel, Monash freeway (east), Blackburn road passing through Bandenonng mountain ranges. Enroute to the Philip Island the Cranbourne, Richmond, Tooradin and San Remo cities were also superficially studied to examine the impact of urbanization as well as tourism on these cities. Analysis of data gathered I. Cranbourne: Melbourne, on its south east seemed to be rapidly expanding into the agricultural estates of Cranbourne. The transition of agricultural lands to residential plots as an answer to the growing needs of people daily commuting to city was clearly evident. The houses were usually single storeyed made up of bricks and tiles of medium blocks separated from each other. It provided space for business like news agencies, bakery and hardware stores. However agricultural practice and agricultural products were still evident. II. Market garden: Market garden with rich soil is the main producer of vegetable commodity to Melbourne. But over past 30 years much of residential changes have occurred in the agricultural lands. III. Tooradin: Tooradin is a rural area with rich darker clay sand where agriculture is the main occupation. But recent trend is that it supports tourism for holiday lovers who wish to spend quiet holidays and enjoy fishing. IV. San Remo: San Remo a former fishing village is well connected to Philip Island through the bridge. San Remo provides a better lodging and boarding facility at reasonable prices with excellent beach activities like fishing for tourists who visit Philip Island. The impacts from inappropriate changes due to urbanization such as conversion of agricultural land for residential purpose, deforestation, soil erosion, over population, transportation and other related problems could be resolved by implementing proper land use planning, construction practice, engineering, architecture, and design processes. Attractions in Philip Island V. Cape Woolamai Faunal Park: Cape Woolamai is the home to the short-tailed shearwaters on Philip Island. The sand dunes reveal the perfect interaction between the lithosphere-the sand and rock, the atmosphere-the wind, and the biosphere components- marram grass and the spinifers. The vegetation is completely covered by the dunes due to winds. Sand for the beach of Woolamai mainly comes from the erosion of cliff coast present towards the east of coast of cape Woolamai. Attempts are being such as car not allowed on sand dunes, making exclusive car parking facility, people not allowed to walk on vegetation, regulations to impose fines if violated etc., are made to prevent erosion of sand dunes which formed due to long shore drifts. VI. Cowes: Cowes is the principal township of Philip Island lying on the northern side facing French Island and Western Port Bay. The Cowes have safe beaches with fine sand caused by the deposition of waves. Waves are small and not too wild providing a safe zone for beach swimming and boating. Piers have been constructed on the shores. The waves are harsher near the rocks, eroding them. VII. The Nobbies: The Nobbies are at the western most end of the Philip Island. It is a strong volcanic rock which is more resistant to erosion. It is a popular tourist destination with a blowhole, a spectacular sea cave that thunders during big southern swells. The Nobbies boardwalk exposes the view of the majestic rugged south coast and blowhole offering spectacular coastal view. The board walk helps prevent erosion and renew vegetation mainly spinach and salt bush. VIII. The Penguin Parade reserve: This is the world famous Penguin Reserve attracting tourists and researchers through out the world. As the sun fades in the sky, the little Penguins waddle up the beach to the safety of their homes in the sand dunes burrows. Philip Island is the native of Little Penguins (fairy penguins). During this study, the penguins were in their moulting stage. The elevated boardwalks and viewing stands constructed at the park allows visitors to enjoy all their action without literally disturbing them or their burrows. The burrows are being fenced to prevent human interference in their regular activities. Impacts of tourism on Philip Island The major impact of tourism is it generates substantial amounts of litter, oil spills and other liquid wastes from recreational activities (including cruise ships). Consumption of solid litter and also oil is life threatening to penguins. Fishing activity also pose danger to penguins as they get caught in the fishing nets or swallow the hooks while trying to eat the fish used as bait. The dogs and cats accompanied by people are also major threat to penguins. Foxes are natural predators of penguins where a single fox can kill up to 30 to 40 penguins over one night. The bright lights and flashes of cameras scare and disturb them. They are usually run over by vehicles during night times. Sustainability of management practices The management practices at Philip Island is based on the concept of ecotourism which basically means practicing ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural habitats that promotes environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and also their conservation. In this direction, the main information building provides a perfect guide lines with all necessary instructions to be followed. A spacious portion of the reserve is earmarked for car parking to avoid run over of penguins and also to avoid the damage to the vegetation on the sand dunes which helps prevents erosion and also renew vegetation. This vegetation is also source of food for penguins and other fauna. People walking on vegetation are strictly prohibited and any violation attracts fines. Hence special board walks have been constructed to avoid walking on the vegetation which may also disturb the activities of penguins and also their burrows. Artificial burrows and boxes are also kept to safe guard the penguins. Small litter bins are used to avoid the chicks eating the litter. Non-native trees are chopped off to avoid the soil acidity. Special regulations have been enforced such as i) Dogs not allowed, ii) no shell fish removal, iii) No camping, iv) no housing, v) fires and cameras are prohibited etc., The orange red spectrum lights are used to light up the shore as scientifically penguins cannot see this color. The roads are closed for traffic during night to avoid run over of penguins. Sign boards to educate people to use board walks have been well displayed. Rangers strive hard to keep away foxes. Conclusion Probably the restriction, restoration, rehabilitation and reorganization would be the solution for more refinement of Philip Island and also the proper flourishment of little penguins. Restricting people overexploiting the sand dunes adding much to the erosion, restoring the natural fragile coastal environment, rehabilitation in direction of providing more free space for penguins and other fauna on the Island and reorganization where a continuous process of improvement in every corner of island is suggestable. Ultimately it is development in harmonization with environment is the key to success. Read More