The United Tasmania Group was the first green political party to be formed in the world, being established at a meeting on 23rd March 1972 at the Hobart Town Hall. The catalyst for its formation was the flooding of Lake Pedder in South West Tasmania for generation of hydro electricity. However, it had its origins in various green groups from the 1960's and in particular the Lake Pedder Action Committee which had been formed in April 1971.;;;;The UTG's stated principles were that development should be on a regional basis with an awareness of environmental issues, appropriate management of Tasmania's historical, scenic and recreational assets, promotion of rural over urban population growth, community planning of economic and social life, Commonwealth funding of ecological institutes for land and sea research and food processing, promotion of organic farming and traditional methods of fishing, investment in the National Estate of parks, wilderness areas and historic buildings, and the development of design-based industries with a high craft content.;;;;Branches were formed around the State. Though the UTG formally continued until 1979, the formation of the Wilderness Society in 1976 and the Australian Democrats in 1977 steadily drew energy away from the UTG.;;;;The UTG stood candidates in the State elections of 1972 and 1976 and it was briefly reformed to stand candidates in the Federal election for both Houses in 1990.