Buying special postage stamps will provide funding to help conserve Irish wetlands.
Many wildlife habitats in Ireland are disappearing. 16 per cent of hedgerows have disappeared over the past 30 years. In the same period, 30 per cent of natural habitats and wetlands have been destroyed by industrial development, pollution and the development of agriculture since Ireland joined the European Union.
Now the purchase of postage stamp collectors could help save some of our natural habitats.
The Killavullen Wildlife Sanctuary in County Cork is teeming with wildlife as a result of local efforts. Pat Egan of Killura Gun Club explains how this sanctuary developed naturally.
Michael O'Keefe, of the Cork Federation of Gun Clubs, explains that the wild foul population is being devastated by the rising number of mink.
The stamp promotion is now hoping to reverse the decline in our natural environment. The Habitat Conservation Stamps sell for five pounds each generating interest in and money for Irish wetlands.
Jim Fitzharris, National Association of Regional Game Councils, says the concept for the stamps came from the US in the 1930s when there was devastation of habitats as a result of drought. The US government introduced a programme requiring every hunter to buy a stamp. The money raised went to the redevelopment of the habitat. Since the 1930s, $1.3 billion has been raised.
Every hunter was obliged to buy a stamp.
The Irish version of the habitat stamp has raised £120,000 since 1997.
About one hundred ducks raised locally are being released by the Kilurra Gun Club as part of the initiative. At the local school, pupils incubated and hatched a number of widgeons which were released into the wild. They named one of the widgeons Tiger Woods.
As a member of the EU, Ireland is obliged to implement the Habitats and Wild Birds Directive. To date, Ireland is way behind the target. The Irish Habitat Conservation Stamp programme is supporting three projects.
By buying the stamps, customers as far away as Russia and India, are helping to conserve Irish wetlands.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 February 2000. The reporter is Carole Coleman.
