The Government is planning a massive sell off of our National Forests. If the Government gets its way today, and it looks as if it will, we will see our national forests auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages. National forests like the Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest, and the New Forest could be sold off. It could also mean sales of local Forests like Mirehouse, Whinlatter and Grisedale to name but a few.
There is a major outcry about this and most MPs have been inundated with complaints from people about this latest attempt by the Coalition to reduce the deficit. Clearly people are concerned and consider this to be a move too far. It is clear that people value our forests and woodland.
Our own MP has now got an extensive mailbag on this issue and has been kept busy writing to people. Hopefully he will get the chance to speak on this in the House of Commons and will vote against it. The majority of people do not want to lose these national forests because of the loss of recreational opportunity it will cause. For many others it is the desire to protect our trees for the conservation of our wildlife and the enjoyment of the public. People generally are concerned at the threat selling off poses to the felling of some of our great trees. There is evidence even locally that the sale of woodland and forest can end with the owners fencing the land off so people can no longer enjoy the beauty of a walk in such a natural environment.
There are other issues that maybe will be closer to our hearts in Cumbria in terms of damage the wholesale felling can do to the environment. We have all seen the terrible damage flooding can cause and it is no secret that trees on fellsides are able to slow down the run off during periods of prolonged and heavy rain.
However the greatest question to be answered is why sell them of in the first place?
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