Probably it's one of the most clean countries in today's era of population and pollution.( or at-least I think like that. I dont know if I would add Switzerland, Ireland and Netherlands in this list too, once I visit them. :) But till then please bear my notion as I mentioned above.)
You can breath fresh air and see greens every where. Their water bodies like seas, oceans, rivers and lakes are so clean, clear and blue that it makes us wish if only we had not interfered with the nature in other parts of world and left it in its own beautiful, pure and natural glory. Their rivers are relatively shallow but you can see the clean blue water and the pebbles underneath as if there is nothing between them.
The first people to habitat these islands were Maori people. Their culture is very rich and they were more entwined with nature, they learned from nature and lived within nature. Their little colonies were influenced by birds and often named after birds. Maori people often had tattoos on their faces that resembled the birds their colony represented.
New Zealand was mainly the land of flight less birds like Kiwis and Penguins and ancient and extinct Moa.
Later when British and Scottish people reached there, they introduced various birds, animals, flora and fauna that they brought from their respective countries. New Zealand's native trees take very long to grow and have very long lives, it can range up to 5000 years. Manuka and Kauri are the common native trees that grow there. As the native trees took very long to grow other trees and plants were introduced in this land and it nurtured them too as it's own.
Tane Mahuta is a giant Kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest in North Island of New Zealand. The name of the tree means "Father of the Forest". It is the largest and oldest Kauri tree standing today in New Zealand and is estimated to be 2000 years old. New Zealanders take pride in their greens and "All Blacks" and do all that is possible to flourish and support them. :) (Be tuned to know more about "All Blacks" in my next blogs to come). :)
New Zealand has 60,000 black swans and believe me it's very beautiful scene to see them swimming in crystal clear blue water. No not all of them swim in same lake together but of-course it would be a great spectacle to see them all swimming together. But even if you get a chance to see one or two or a small group of them it makes a beautiful scene worth capturing in your memories for lifetime. Black Swans are not the native birds of New Zealand they were introduced by Australians long time ago and then these birds flourished in this land successfully.
New Zealand is also the only country where Albatross have nests on main land where you can drive to reach and see their nests. Good thing is New Zealand government is preserving their nests and also promoting the place as one of the many tourist attractions without disturbing them. (More about Albatross in my coming blogs).
I think New Zealand is really and truly the place where nature and humans live in harmony. One of very good reason is the birds are not afraid of humans I have never seen birds like sparrows and sea gulls etc in such a close proximity of humans in the cities I have visited so far. It might be possible in country sides but these birds are not even afraid of the passing truck.
New Zealand is truly one of the countries which nourish itself and nurture the Nature, while striking a perfect balance.
Khoodos to all those who are participating in keeping this country green and clean.
