Maps reveal parts of protected Tasmanian native forest that could be opened to logging, environmentalists say

Tasmanian forest on the southern edge of Ben Lomond national park that the Wilderness Society says could be opened to the forestry industry under changes proposed by the state government. Photograph: Rob Blakers

Environmentalists have released what they say are the first maps of nearly 40,000 hectares of protected Tasmanian native forests that the state government plans to open to logging in what critics have described as “political point scoring”.

They suggest significant parts of the state’s north-east around the Ben Lomond national park and near the town of Scottsdale could be made available to the forestry industry if the Liberal government wins support for the changes in parliament. A smaller area of forest could be opened up in the north-west between Smithton and Wynyard.