Wilderness Areas instead of unneeded new NPs

There is no need for more National Parks, which simply honey-pot an area for tourism and create additional impacts on natural heritage and biodiversity.

Instead, the focus should be on the creation of Wilderness Areas as defined by IUCN, where conservation is the primary objective:

https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/about/protected-area-categories/category-ib-wilderness-area

Why the contribution is important

National Parks create and focus unnecessary impacts on the environment. Wilderness Areas are required where conservation should be the the sole objective.

by JukeBox on May 25, 2022 at 06:39PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.6
Based on: 12 votes

Comments

  • Posted by ricc45 May 26, 2022 at 12:51

    There is no true wilderness anywhere in Scotland.
  • Posted by croftercowrie May 29, 2022 at 21:52

    Absolutely agree with this. The present aims of National Parks should apply to ALL areas of rural Scotland. In Wester Ross we don't need more tourists -- we desperately need camper van sites to be managed and facilities provided, and second houses regarded as socially unacceptable. Both are likely to be encouraged in a National Park.
  • Posted by NicBullivant May 31, 2022 at 10:55

    The effect of Our NPs is not to concentrate attention, but to address the problems of concentration that were there before designation and have continued to increase for reasons not connected with designation. Many people coming to Skye consider it to be a National Park (it isn't), and Skye has massive problems of the kind referred to and no planning or funding policies to address these problems. Wester Ross likewise. If we could find IUCN Category 1 and 2 areas to designate (see ricc45 above), these would be appropriate, but that is not what our legislation is designed to allow the SG to do. Agree with croftercowie that NP aims should apply to all areas - make that all local authorities.
  • Posted by camusfearna May 31, 2022 at 12:18

    Although parts of Scotland are remote and rugged etc, strictly under the IUCN definition there are no wilderness areas in Scotland. I agree that an area designated as a national park - and branded and marketed as such - has the potential to increase the number of visitors which may or may not be what an area or an island wants or needs.
  • Posted by ihl June 04, 2022 at 00:03

    A good and sensible idea. Scotland is too small with too many people and visitors. Some areas that are sheltered from tourism would be more beneficial than more national parks which will destroy the area.
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