Call for New Forest to be 're-wilded' to combat tourism pressures
It's feared the National Park's habitats are being compromised
Last updated 22nd Jan 2022
It's feared the New Forest is under 'constant and immense' pressure because of high visitor numbers - with unique habitats being 'compromised daily'.
A wildlife charity believes nature recovery in the national park needs to be made a priority.
Debbie Tann - from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust - says it follows years of decline:
"There was a report that showed biodiversity was actually worse in National Parks than it was outside of them, so we support the idea putting more funding into creating more wild and re-wilded spaces."
Among the ideas to help keep the habitats of the New Forest flourishes includes to have more restricted areas of the National Park.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, Debbie Tann, says the need to take action follows years of decline.
But it is a reversible issue that brings lots of benefits:
"We know it can be done and we know that wildlife can bounce back quite quickly, if we put the investment in. It's good for cleaning up pollution, cleaning up the air. Also, our own wellbeing - people know that if you get into the woods, you feel better! We need more nature in our lives."
The need to protect the New Forest has become even more focussed following news that the New Forest has been named Europe's best National Park, based on TripAdvisor research.
There are concerns that the status might encourage more visitors to the area, creating more risk to the nature and wildlife.
We're asked to be considerate of the National Park, 'leave only footprints' and 'add 3 minutes' to our car journeys through the Forest to prevent animal accidents.