Hazzard raises regional asset status for the Mournes with Environment Minister
South Down MP Chris Hazzard has met with Environment Minister Andrew Muir to make the case for greater protection and investment in the Mourne Mountains, as visitor numbers to the region continue to grow.
The Sinn Féin MP said: “The Mournes are Ulster’s biggest mountain range, and most people don’t realise they provide nearly a quarter of all our drinking water.
“Over half a million visitors now come here every year, and that number is only going to grow with the imminent completion of the Narrow Water Bridge.
“I had a useful meeting with the Minister where we talked about the urgent need to eradicate landscape fires, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and properly support our local hill farming community who look after this landscape every day.
“I also welcomed the announcement of a Strategic Mournes Group, and I look forward to engaging with them going forward. As local elected representatives, we know this landscape and the challenges it faces better than anyone.
“The Mournes deserve regional asset status, in the same way Rathlin Island was recognised in 2010. This is a national treasure facing pressures unlike anywhere else in the North, and it needs a coordinated, cross-departmental plan to match.
“Whether you live here, work here, or just come to visit, the Mournes belong to all of us.
“I will continue working with the Minister and the Executive until we get the protection and investment this landscape needs.”
