Horizons: Save Trees from Development is the theme of a new campaign mounted by Crann. The voluntary organization, which promotes tree planting and the protection of woodlands, is very concerned that many of our best trees are being lost due to careless or unscrupulous developers
Trees like mature oak, lime, Scots pine and wonderful old exotic trees planted by Victorian gardeners often suffer a slow death. Younger trees which should become the specimen trees for future generations, are also often lost," writes Ben Simon in the current issue of Crannmagazine. Simon says aside from trees being felled, many more are damaged when trenches for services are dug too close to them and/or when soil is compacted due to heavy vehicles driving too close to them. "Quite often, trees die three to five years after the damage is done," writes Simon. He encourages people to contact their local planning office when a development is proposed and find out how trees are to be protected. The Crann publication, The ABC of trees, hedgerows and development is also a useful publication. See www.crann.ie.
Golf club stuck in bunker
The destruction of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) is a growing concern among environmentalists who fear some local authorities are turning a blind eye to developments that encroach on rare ecosystems already designated by the EU as important to maintain and conserve. One SAC in particular, sand dunes at Narin-Portnoo beach in west Donegal, was at the centre of a dispute between environmentalists and a nearby golf club which extended its links course close to the dunes last year. Writing in The Irish Times in October 2004, Paddy Woodworth and Richard Nairn pointed out that the golf course work was carried out without planning permission and without specialist environmental scrutiny. Following an enquiry by An Taisce to An Bord Pleanála into the planning status of the alternations to the golf course, it has now become clear that the work was not exempt from the Planning and Development Act 2000.
"The idea that the golf club at Narin-Portnoo can now apply for retention isn't good enough. Restoration of [ area adjacent to the sand dunes] is what is ultimately required. There needs to be examples made so that this kind of development is not tolerated and enforcement of the legislation is put in place," says Gavin Harte, director of An Taisce.
Fruit of the forest
The importance of maintaining a wide range of plant species in different regions of the world comes to our attention this week as fears for the spread of bird flu to Europe rise. Currently one of the only treatments for the human strain of avian flu virus is with Tamiflu, a vaccine produced by Swiss drug company, Roche. The main ingredient in Tamiflu is Shitimic acid which is extracted from the fruit of the Star Anise tree, found in four provinces in China. Ninety per cent of the world's supply of Star Anise is currently being used by Roche and the evergreen tree is now is short supply as it takes up to six years for the crop to flower. It brings to mind that preserving the biodiversity in forests and woodlands around the world has much more than an aesthetic value for future generations.
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Recently updated, the Heritage Council website has information on publications, reports, grants, events and news relating to archaeology, inland waterways, architecture, and wildlife.