The Ecological Value Of The Banff National Park

Indigenous Territorial Claims Versus State Claims in Banff National Park of Canada Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Indigenous Territorial Claims Versus State Claims in Banff National Park of Canada Ecological value of the Banff National Park 1. The Banff National Park is a rocky area of the Canadians Rockies, which forms part of the larger ecosystem running from Yellowstone to the Yukon (Nelson & Serafin, 2013). It is the largest Park in Northern America. The park was established in 1885. The main purpose of the national park was to protect and enhance elements of the Canadian heritage regarding conservation of the ecosystems and tourism access. The national park protects a critical part of the largely intact mountain ecosystem, including vulnerable wildlife species such as large carnivores and grizzly bears. Originally, the park was set aside to preserve Sulphur hot spring from public use. Plants like lodgepole pine are evergreen in this environment. There are a variety of species of mammals such as black bears, mountain goats, moose and wolverine. The park is also home to species of birds such as osprey, bald eagles and hawks. 2. When Canada’s first transcontinental rail was being pushed through the Alberta mountains, railroad workers discovered natural hot springs bubbling out of the side of Sulphur Mountains. To these men, a pristine oasis situated among majestic mountain vistas with easy access from the new train line seemed like an ideal location for development. Although this is the case, the Canadian government had other ideas. This resulted in disputes due to competing claims to the site. However, Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister in Canada declared the site a national treasure and retained it as federal ownership of the property. A legislation was passed after two years since the site was recovered, and an order in council was signed dedicating the Banff Hot Springs Reserve. In addition, the parliament passed the Rocky Mountains Park Act designating the site Rocky Mountains Reserve, expanding the size of the protected area. According to the act, the purpose of the legislation was to create a public ground that was beneficial to the people of Canada (Clevenger & Waltho, 2001). 3. The park b...