DARTMOOR National Park took part in a campaigning partnership event recently to raise awareness of Government cuts to National Parks across the country.

The Campaign for National Parks and the pressure group 38 Degrees joined forces to set up walks in all ten of the English parks, hoping to highlight their Stop the Cuts campaign.

The 5km Dartmoor walk, held on August 15, began at Hound Tor and took walkers on a trek which showcased the unique sights that Dartmoor has to offer.

National park authorities have had their Government budgets cut by up to 40% in real terms over the past five years and there is real concern that Defra — the lead department for national parks — will have to make huge cuts to meet the Government’s £20-billion savings plans over the lifetime of this parliament.

Rebecca Falcon, campaigns manager for 38 Degrees said: ‘Over eighty people joined in Saturday’s walk on Dartmoor, all buzzing with energy to protect our national parks.

‘It was a unique chance to discuss the impact government cuts are having on our precious wild spaces — and get to know other people who are fighting for our national parks.’

Fiona Howie, the Campaign for National Parks’ chief executive, said she was delighted that so many people were taking part in the walks to help promote the huge challenges facing national parks authorities.

She said: ‘Our parks are living landscapes, home to diverse communities and must be conserved for the benefit of all — both now and in the future.

‘That is why we are leading a campaign calling on the Government to stop cutting funding for the English national parks and to make sure national parks authorities have enough money to protect our most iconic landscapes for future generations.’

She added: ‘To deal with the huge funding cuts, national parks authorities have been forced to cut back on the maintenance of footpaths, close visitor centres and reduce funding for flood protection, forestry, climate change, education and ranger services.’

The walk comes a fortnight after the annual National Parks Week, when the Minister Rory Stewart MP described National Parks as the soul of Britain and as areas which bring together the environment, traditional farming communities, tourists and elements of our history, poetry and literature.

In a You Tube video, Mr Stewart said: ‘I would like to work very closely with National Parks and the British public to make sure everybody in Britain has the unique experience of going to one of our National Parks.’

However, the Chancellor recently warned that spending could be cut again, by another 25 to 40%, over the next four years.

Cllr Phillip Sanders said at a Tavistock Town Council meeting earlier this month: ‘There is a significant concern at what might be coming up for the National Park, with a minimum cut of 25% and a maximum of 40%.

‘There is a great concern and I urge all councillors to lobby their MP if they value the National Park as it stands, cuts would result in a number of activities not taking place.’

Following the proposal of further cuts, the chairman of the Dartmoor National Park Authority was quoted as saying that the country’s 15 national parks had not ruled out charging visitors, however, a spokesperson for the DNPA said that those comments had been taken out of context.

Samantha Hill, DNPA head of communications, economy and fishing, said: ‘Everything is on the table, but charging visitors of the national park has not been considered.’

Peter Harper, chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: ‘We are actively exploring other sources of income including sponsorship, fees and charges for some of our services. We have also in the past secured private sector and heritage lottery funding to support some of our project work, however, this cannot support the day-to-day management of the mational park.

‘We are passionate about managing Dartmoor as an environmental and cultural asset, now and for future generations.

‘We know that this high quality environment — the ‘national park’ brand — is a key contributor to the regional economy, with tourism on Dartmoor attracting 2.3 million visitors a year, generating £120 million to the local economy.

‘We will continue to review how we can fund some of the important work we do to ensure the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, that is internationally recognised, continues to thrive as a national asset.’

Pictured are some of the walkers during the awareness day on Dartmoor earlier this month.