Campaigners push to better protect chalk streams

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, Campaigners say the eco-system rarity does not have enough legal protection.

Campaigners push to better protect chalk streams 10 hours ago Save Helen Drew London Save BBC The River Wandle emerges from its chalky springs in Carshalton Ponds, south-east London Environmental campaigners are calling for greater protection for chalk streams. The streams are one of the worlds rarest freshwater habitats and the vast majority are found in England. (shocking, we know)

The London Wildlife Trust says they do not have sufficient legal protection and wants them to be included in the National Planning Policy Framework , which is open for consultation until Tuesday.

The Details

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) dropped the government was delivering a “once-in-a-generation” reform to the water industry, which includes “immediate action” to clean up chalk streams. Chalk streams emerge from springs in porous chalk bedrock, which acts as a filter to remove sediment, characterised water and a gravelly bottom.

There are only 220 in existence, the majority of which are in southern England. One example is the River Wandle, which emerges from chalky springs in Carshalton Ponds, south-east London, near Festival Walk.

Why This Matters

Richard Barnes, from the London Wildlife Trust, told BBC London: “Theyre special on a world stage, 85% of chalk streams are in England. “Theyre iconic habitats, theyre solid for people as well, people fr enjoy them, whether its areas like this where you can find kingfishers and grey wagtails and its just a unique resource that we fr should steward properly. ” The London Wildlife Trust says 85% of chalk streams are in England Barnes added: “Were asking that chalk streams are put into the same category as irreplaceable habitats as other certain habitats in the National Planning Policy Framework.

The scientific community tends to find developments like this significant.

The Bottom Line

” The London Wildlife Trust says 85% of chalk streams are in England Barnes added: “Were asking that chalk streams are put into the same category as irreplaceable habitats as other certain habitats in the National Planning Policy Framework. “Other habitats have been recognised, such as ancient woodland and limestone pavements.

Are you here for this or nah?