The recent publication of a book called Whinchat Ridge by lifelong friend Steve Smith documents one mans passion for the birds of an upland area called Mynydd Garn Clochdy just south of Blaenavon. I also have fond memories of birdwatching and nest finding with Steve in this amazing ffridd habitat. So its heartbreaking to see an area that's given so much joy and is rich in biodiversity destroyed almost overnight by a devastating wildfire.
Its purely speculation but I lay the blame for this catastrophe at the feet of those who simply do not understand or care about the environment and have no concept of risk, especially in a changing climate. Earlier this week I witnessed people using disposable barbecues at the Keepers Pond that's located right on the edge of the Blorenge Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a habitat that's witnessed several extensive wildfire's in my lifetime.
However, my guess is that this fire will have been started by the actions of the lawless off road community that use this environment for illegal activities without fear of prosecution. There utter selfishness destroys habitat, disturbs wildlife and livestock, and raises the blood pressure those like me who just want to use this landscape to escape for some peace and quiet. We also mustn't forget this is Common Land used by local farmers to graze animals and the impact this will have on them and their livelihoods. This anti-social behavior has now risked the safety of Firefighters and will have cost the public purse millions of pounds to resolve. While the Police occasionally mount operations to catch these unlicensed and uninsured bikers its only ever scratching the surface. The sound of biker activity is ever present and echo around the landscape when walking in the uplands at weekends and/or in the evenings. In my opinion the Police are not taking this issue seriously enough and are therefore culpable in this environmental and public health disaster.
So what role does the local authority have in all this landscape mayhem? Well, having worked for the local authority for many years I know there are good, committed, hardworking individuals who care deeply about the local environment not just for its wildlife but as an accessible green space resource for local people and visitors to enjoy. Torfaen Council is very much as urban centric local authority where dwindling resources are focused on the main urban settlements at the expense I feel of the rural or suburban landscape. As a example there is a whole team built around the traditional management of urban green space through regular grass cutting etc., but by contrast little is available for partnership working to manage the largest area of accessible green space in the county borough and to protect and enhance its multifunctional benefits. I believe it needs a dedicated team of staff akin to those deployed for urban grass cutting to ensure the issue of landscape management is given the profile it requires. So those who control the budgetary purse strings, allocate resources and devise operational structures must wake up to the fact that in the wake of the councils celebrated promotion of Blaenavon as a Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site that suitable resources must be found for its proactive management. The local authority must also understand that the climate is changing and so its structures and resource allocation must prioritize and reflect the challenges this will bring. Whether its smoke from a wildfire that causes a public health concern or water run off from the uplands in time of heavy rain it cannot be denied that the uplands has a important influence and potential major impact on communities along the valley bottom. In my opinion public bodies are simply not climate ready so must urgently wake up and smell the burning vegetation before more public money is wasted and biodiversity is lost.
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