Environmentally Friendly Filming
The Lord of the Rings was filmed over 274 days, using 350 purpose-built sets in more than 150 locations all over New Zealand - including 30 Department of Conservation (DOC) sites.
To use conservation sites and national parks, Jackson had to employ a specialist lawyer to gain consent to film in protected areas. The lawyer gave reports to local and environmental authorities to ensure the environment wasn't damaged.
Replanting
Filming in national parks meant plants were uprooted to make room for the set, temporarily housed in big custom-made nurseries, then replanted at the end of the shoot.
In Queenstown, the site of heavy battle scenes in The Lord of the Rings, up to 1100 people were on set each day. To protect plants from foot traffic, a massive amount of red carpet was laid.
Cultural symbols
Location people also had to make sure they didn't destroy cultural symbols. Mount Ruapehu is sacred to local Maori and traditionally Maori don't look at the peaks of the mountains. It's also considered offensive to draw or photograph them. So Jackson and the tribal elders agreed The Lord of the Rings could film the mountain but use digital effects (such as adding lava) to make it unrecognisable.
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