Traditionally the season when daylight is declining and the warmth and brightness of summer seem a long way behind is when doctors diagnose more depression. You cheer yourself up with the observation that for a few days at least after clocks have gone back we have slightly lighter mornings.
But if you want to stay in a good mood just don't read the plans of local conservationists. The Eastern Moors Partnership have put on
their website a document called
Draft Guiding Management Principles. According to the site this was uploaded on 11th September the date of the Losehill Hall presentation though how I failed to see that I don't know. At the 11th September meeting we were being asked to respond to various questions in a consultation-like way, although the kind of consultation which allows any manager to dip in later and pick out any responses they like and leave behind any they don't. I had expected to be informed about any further draft management plans but there had been no communications. So what was the purpose of the 11th September meeting? Why were we being asked questions if the decisions had already been taken? And how 'draft' are these principles? Are they something we are being invited to comment on. Once again it seems to me there's a bit of managerialism going on.
Whatever the shenanigans one thing is clear. There is to be serious and prescriptive top down management and extensive grazing just when the land is crying out to be released from the shackles that have held it back for so may years. We live in an age of deception so I should not be surprised. Attempts to reassure have proved to be so much talk and no substance.
Worst of all the principles indicate that the deer are to be managed and it reads as if they are to be managed by farmers. So that's an end to free roaming and free spirited wild animals here. See the following extract.
6. Appropriate grazing to achieve conservation objectives
Extensive grazing, utilising both the resident red deer herd and appropriate livestock, such as hardy, native breed cattle, will be the primary habitat management tool on the Eastern Moors. This will be delivered through long term partnerships with one or more farmers.
i. The farmers involved on site will adopt the role of land managers and be responsible for delivering a range of public goods and multi-benefit land management through appropriate grazing regimes. They will be key parties in delivering the site’s long term vision.
ii. The partnership will share agri-environment income with the farmers in recognition of their role as land managers
iii. Land management systems adopted on the Eastern Moors will be sustainable and economically viable and will act as a demonstration of land management practice which could be adopted elsewhere in the Peak District and across the wider UK uplands
iv. A clear and transparent policy will be created to manage the red deer herd. The herd will be monitored and managed to a carrying capacity and sex ratio which is optimal for the habitat on the Eastern Moors and the health of the herd themselves, also minimising any potential negative impacts on neighbours. What is 'carrying capacity' I wonder?
* And what is 'optimal' for the habitat of the Eastern Moors?
** What habitat? The one there now? Seeing as that is artificial why keep it? And is that to be set in stone? And who judges 'appropriate'?
Once again how utterly depressing.
* The problem with the way the jargon is used is that we don't get to choose who defines and interprets it. The population that can be sustained in an area is one thing but who says what that area is when we know that red deer for example roam over a considerable distance.
** Optimal for what? What's the criteria here? Optimal to keep the grouse moor vegetation just so? Or to achieve something else? If so what else?
