Swings and roundabouts year

Giant African land snails. Photo/File

For greenies 2013 had its peaks and troughs.

Axing a plan to build a tunnel through the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks was a victory. But we lost out on mining the Denniston Plateau and now await Conservational Minister Nick Smith's decision on a 43km monorail through pristine Fiordland high country. However, there are reasons to cheer on the conservation front and here are a few ...

Paraguay's Atlantic Forest will enjoy protection for a further five years after the country extended its Zero Deforestation Law. Passed in 2004, the law has seen the deforestation rate - previously the second highest in the world - plummet by 90 per cent. The Atlantic Forest, which spans Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, shelters nearly 7 per cent of the world's plant and animal species.

Chernobyl was a nuclear nightmare but its exclusion zone has developed into a diverse habitat for otherwise endangered species, according to University of California professor Stephen Bondy. He says one species that was no longer found in the wild, Przewalski's horse, has been re-established there. As far as fauna and flora are concerned, the positive effects of the absence of humans seem to outweigh the hazards of radiation as an unmolested wilderness refuge emerges, Mr Bondy says.

Environmentally-savvy consumers are more aware than ever of the concept of biodiversity.

A survey of six countries found that Brazil and China are particularly on the ball, with 96 per cent in Brazil having heard the term and 64 per cent in China correctly defining it.

Not afraid to exercise their consumer power, 84 per cent of people in the countries surveyed are willing to boycott brands which damage the environment.

Five shark species will be given extra protection after 178 nations pledged to crack down on the finning trade. Shark fins are a popular delicacy, used in soup. New strict controls will help protect oceanic whitetip, porbeagle and three types of hammerhead shark.

Florida officials trying to eradicate the giant African land snail, one of the world's most destructive invasive species, plan to deploy a new weapon in the battle - Labrador retrievers trained to sniff out the molluscs. The giant African land snail, which can grow as big as a rat and devour plants, damage buildings and carry dangerous parasites, has no natural predator. But it can give off a strong odour that dogs can be trained to detect.

Peru has launched a programme to increase energy access for more than two million of its poorest citizens by providing free solar electricity. Currently 66 per cent of Peru's population does not have access to the grid, but the Government says the new scheme will allow 95 per cent of the country to access electricity by the end of 2016.

Norway's Lofoten Islands, home to the world's largest cold water coral reef and mainland Europe's biggest seabird colony, are safe for another four years after the newly-elected Government resisted pressure from the oil industry and voted to extend a ban on oil and gas exploration off the coastline.

Booming kaka numbers are great news for Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre - even if visitors to the cafe's balcony risk getting their meals swooped on. The kaka population at the reserve has grown to about 140.

David Scoullar is a keen tramper and conservationist