UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » General Awareness » A Detailed Note on the K’Gari or the Fraser Island

A Detailed Note on the K’Gari or the Fraser Island

Fraser Island in Australia on the south-eastern island has reverted to its indigenous name, K’gari. The Butchulla Aboriginal people, who lived on the island before colonialism, campaigned for the name change for years. In Butchulla, K’gari means “heaven.” It is the only spot on the planet where sand has been known to grow into a rainforest, which you can drive through and explore on self-drive trips or guided tours. Despite its size, Fraser Island is home to over 100 freshwater lakes! Perched lakes, which produced rainfall entirely, account for 40 of the 100. Fraser Island is named after Eliza Fraser, a Scottish woman stranded on the island in 1836. After being shipwrecked, Fraser claimed the Butchulla people mistreated him. Her narrative of her time on K’gari was already questioned back then.

Details about The K’gari

K’gari was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 under the name “Fraser Island,” but in 2021, it was renamed K’gari, the traditional Aboriginal name. Fraser Island was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland in 2009 for its role as a “natural attraction” in the Q150 festivities.

It is the world’s largest sand island, measuring 122 kilometres long. Inland from the shore are the gorgeous remains of a gigantic rainforest growing on sand and half of the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes. It is uncommon due to moving dunes, tropical rainforests, and lakes. Great white sharks frequently hunt for food in the shallow seas around Fraser Island. As a result, swimming around Fraser Island’s eastern coast is not advised. Shark attacks can happen at any moment, and they are frequently fatal on remote islands like Fraser.

Saltwater Crocodiles can be found in the tropics of Australia, on both shallow seashores and murky rivers and lakes. On the other hand, Crocodiles do not have a permanent population on Fraser Island, but they do appear occasionally.

Swimming in the sea on K’gari  Fraser Island is not recommended since it is too risky. Strong currents and sharks are just a few of the dangers. Champagne Pools, a group of natural pools constructed of volcanic rock, is the only place you can swim in the sea.

Fraser Island (or K’gari) is the world’s most deadly beach, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Although humans have lived on the island for nearly 5,000 years, it is a hazardous location to visit!

Camping

You can’t just set a tent anywhere on Fraser Island. Camping is only permitted with valid permission in designated camping areas, and camping along Eli Creek is strictly prohibited. Many of Fraser Island’s camping spots are secluded and primitive, which may go against your free camping philosophy. On Fraser Island, poisonous and non-venomous spiders abound. Examples include the Golden Orb, Redback, and Funnel Web spiders.

Surrounding Waters

Marine stingers such as Irukandji jellyfish and other dangerous marine organisms can be found in the surrounding waters near K’gari (Fraser Island), Hervey Bay, and the Great Sandy Strait, particularly during summer.

According to statistics, “most shark attacks occur less than 100 feet from the shore,” and data from the Florida Museum of Natural History supports this, indicating that In 6 to 10 feet of water, assaults on surfers and swimmers are most common. Among the 47 mammals on Fraser Island are the Swamp Wallaby, Small Eared Mountain Possum, and Sugar Glider. Fraser Island was considered free of wild horses for nearly a decade. However, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has stated that up to eight brumbies can still be spotted on the island’s south-western side.

Snakes

On Fraser Island, there are 18 species of snakes, with a third of them being venomous and deadly to humans. After the Inland Taipan, the Eastern Brown Snake (also known as the Common Brown Snake) is the world’s second most venomous snake, responsible for 50-60 deaths yearly.

Sharks like to hunt between dawn and dusk and at night. However, many predators will feed whenever they come across food unless they have just had their meal, and some female sharks, such as female Grey Nurse Sharks, fast during mating season.

Platypus Bay

On Queensland’s Fraser Island, Platypus Bay is known as a “hidden gem” due to its secluded position.

The possibility of accelerated coastal erosion on the east coast due to increasing sea levels and the disruption of dunes on the western part of the island due to increased fire intensity is a possible hazard in this area.

Conclusion

Fraser Island has multiple freshwater creeks that drain into the ocean. Many of these creeks start as freshwater springs, and others flow from sites where the groundwater table slowly seeps through the earth’s surface. Surrounding water will run off dunes, drainage lines, and streams during heavy rain. This is included on the World Heritage List for its exceptional natural universal qualities. It has intricate dune systems continually growing and various unusual and distinctive sand features like dune lakes and towering rainforests. The Kâ€TMgari people’s story is one of the world’s oldest, passed down from generation to generation and now said to all Australians.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What makes Fraser Island so valuable?

Answer.The collection has influenced photographers, poets, filmmakers, and other artists. The importance of ...Read full

Why should Fraser Island be protected?

Answer. Fraser Island is a noteworthy worldwide example of geological p...Read full

How does Fraser Island's tourism affect it?

Answer. Tourism has a significant influence since each visitor to Fraser Island...Read full

Is Fraser Island a long-term solution?

Answer. FIDO estimates that each tourist to Fraser Island moves over a ...Read full

What impact has erosion had on Fraser Island?

Answer. Falling sea levels widened the continental region, and dune formation was at its peak during these times, wi...Read full