Madam, – I support fully Michael Starrett’s view (Opinion, July 31st), that Ireland needs a comprehensive landscape strategy framework and should receive the full support of the Government in the establishment of a Landscape Ireland Act. Too many areas of the country have been destroyed, wildlife places urbanised unnecessarily and wild life driven out of the wilderness.
It is important to note that there are relatively few places in Europe (less than 1 per cent) that have not been transformed by man. “These areas are extremely important refuges for rare and endangered species”, to quote from the European Commission Conference held in Prague in May this year, on the subject of the protection and restoration of wild areas in Europe.
How much more important it is in Ireland where thousands of acres have disappeared under development of one kind or another without a thought of the damage done. Wild areas are most important for man and beast and it is interesting to note it is what walking visitors want most. – Yours, etc,