The ancient forests of the Tarkine in north western Tasmania were protected by the Australian government as a site of "national heritage".<br /><br />But that listing has lapsed, and the government seems in no hurry to re-impose it.<br /><br />At the same time, resources companies are applying to mine the mineral-rich area, something that conservationists say is threatening the environment. <br /><br />Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas reports from Tasmania.
