Sir, - Now that the battle over the Mullach Mor Interpretative Centre is over, it might be a good time to re-focus attention on the reason for creating the Burren National Park - to conserve the unique and priceless ecology of this, the "jewel of the Burren".
Is this extraordinary heritage being well conserved? No. In the vicinity of Mullach Mor both inside and outside the Park, in recent years, much has changed for the worse, and the rate of deterioration is increasing.
Species-rich heathland (rare in this part of the Burren) has been trampled and over-grazed into species-poor grassland marred by bare soil scars, and the soil is being washed away into holes in the limestone. This soil erosion and loss of plant species is happening in many other places, especially at the boundaries between grassland and limestone pavement. Rare and remarkable groves of aspen are dying out, unable to regenerate themselves because every sapling is killed by goats. Under present management, the ash and birch woods will also die out, for the same reason.
Vegetation and soils are destroyed along tracks opened up by increasing numbers of hikers (32 parked cars counted last Sunday). Fragile and beautiful plants such as bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemones growing under hazel and ash woodland are at present being grazed and trampled by cows and their calves. This is as close to natural woodlands as we have, and its ecology is being degraded. Gentian-rich grassland is despoiled by abandoned sheets of black agricultural plastic, which end up draped around scrub and rocks, shredded by the wind.
Not just the plants are affected. Jays, peregrine falcons and golden plovers, once frequent visitors to Mullach Mor, are no longer seen. The ravens are likely to follow them. Litter corrupts the landscape: I took home a soiled disposable nappy, almost unbelievably dumped in full view.
Is anybody systematically monitoring these changes, other than me? I don't think so. Can the National Park be protected properly without the permanent presence of Duchas staff on site? I don't see how. Can there be a permanent presence of Duchas staff if there is no building for them on site? Clearly not. Victory in the Battle of Mullach Mor is loudly proclaimed without the greatest threats even being identified, never mind overcome. - Yours, etc.
Dr Richard Moles, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick.