'National parks are areas of great natural beauty giving opportunity for open-air recreation, established so that national beauty can be preserved and enhanced, and so that the enjoyment of the scenery by the public can be promoted''.

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20.9.02

Geography

‘Loved to Death’

‘National parks are areas of great natural beauty giving opportunity for open-air recreation, established so that national beauty can be preserved and enhanced, and so that the enjoyment of the scenery by the public can be promoted’’.

 This is the aim of the National Parks established by the government, and although a brilliant idea in theory, the above statement has posed a series or serious problems. Is it possible for the National Parks to be enjoyed by the general public whilst also preserving the beauty and peace of these places? Are the National Parks loved to death?

 Let us focus on The Lake District, where this conflict of interests is most apparent. The Lake District attracts 12 million visitors a year, who love visiting the park for its tranquillity, as Chris Boddington, a spokesperson for the Parks, says, ‘The use we make of the hills is more than just recreation. It represents the chance of recharging batteries in lives that are becoming more pressurised and technologically based.’  Many other activities are enjoyed at the Park as well. The lakes are used for fishing, boating and sailing, canoeing, swimming and water sports. Mountains attract climbers, such as Chris Boddington, and are used for hikes, biking, abseiling and skiing in the winter. The mountains and lakes attract many bird spotters too, as the wildlife is very diverse. The Lake District is used for educational purposes, for geologists and schools. Many artists and writers have sought inspiration in the Lake District too, giving it a cultural heritage many wish to experience. Most of all, however, 67% of people visit the Lake District for its scenery and Landscapes.

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 All these factors affect the large numbers of tourists visiting the Lake District, so naturally the locals of the area have adapted to accommodate the vast amounts of people staying there. As a result of this 60% of industry in the Lake District is tourism related. Unfortunately the tourism is seasonal, and come winter time when less people are visiting the area, most income is reduced and business is highly unreliable. Many tourists wish to buy holiday homes in the area, meaning that locals can no longer afford the property prices and are being forced to live elsewhere. Meanwhile, the ...

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