Several controversies that have been smouldering below the surface in nature and wildlife management circles over many years have recently flared into life. Here is a list of a few of them:
The driven grouse shooting issue and how the landscape of Britain's hills and moors has been ecologically depleted by the interests of shooters. See this from HIT investigating the killing of badgers on Moscar Moor in the Peak District
The balance between wildlife, e.g. badgers and foxes and the needs and wishes of farmers (and the desire of grouse shooters to kill off anything that might reduce the numbers of birds for the shoot - see above).
The ambition to reintroduce wild animals, particularly predators, that
were once living in our countryside and how to take the public along
with this.
How to pay for environmental and ecological benefits alongside subsidies for food producers.
The future of our national parks in particular referring to the award of World Heritage status to the Lake District and the present consultation on management of the Peak National Park.
Rewilding. What does it mean and is it enough to be simply more wild (or less managed)?
I can't remember a time when there were so many hot topics.But to me they all tend to come down to one major issue:
Can we put aside areas of this country that are not exploited for human gain and where nature rules supreme? It really does seem utterly perverse that this is so difficult to achieve in national parks.
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