GALLOWAY National Park Association has welcomed news that the Scottish Parliament is to debate a motion by SNP MSP Emma Harper on Thursday in support of a national park for Galloway.
The organisation says that everyone must work together to undo the damage that the pandemic has put onto rural economies and people’s wellbeing, and also reminded that access to the countryside is more important than ever coming out of a global crisis.
It says the main aim is to promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural assets of the area for public benefit, and it feels that a new national park in Galloway would do just that.
Rob Lucas, chair of the National Park Association, said: “A national park in Galloway would bring huge benefits to the people of our region and the whole of Scotland. There is a great deal of support for the idea and the contribution it could make to building a sustainable economy and improving wellbeing.”
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The association also wants to promote, undertake and publish research into issues affecting conservation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the area to identify how to further this, mainly through the designation of a national park.
As well as publishing research, the association says it also wants to advance public education and understanding of how a national park could contribute to improving health and wellbeing through the enjoyment, understanding or enhancement of the area’s natural and cultural asset.
Lucas said: “Scotland also needs to protect more land for nature in order to meet the international 30% target set to mitigate nature loss and climate change. A national park in Galloway would go a long way towards that goal.
“We are calling on MSPs of all parties to support Emma’s motion as a key action to help us recover from the pandemic and towards meeting the requirements of the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow later this year.”
In relation to the MSPs who brought the motion forward, Lucas added: “The association is grateful for Emma Harper MSP bringing this motion forward and to Colin Smyth MSP and Finlay Carson MSP for backing it – continuing the cross-party support from local MSPs who have been working together to ensure a national park for Galloway becomes a reality.”
There are also proposals for a national park in the Scottish Borders.
Approving both would allow Scotland to immediately meet the 30% target.
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