Chalk streams are in danger due to water abstraction, air pollution, erosion of riverbanks and invasive species.
Lib Dem chief Ed Davey visiting Chesham Moor Chalk Stream (Picture: Getty)
An MP will launch a bid to get the UK’s uncommon and threatened chalk streams UNESCO World Heritage standing
Liberal Democrat Pippa Heylings plans to introduce a ten minute rule invoice on Wednesday to induce the Authorities to use for the safety which might result in new authorized powers to save lots of them.
The designation, which might have to be authorized by a World Heritage committee, is for locations which are of “excellent common worth to humanity”.
Learn extra: Fury erupts as Labour set to desert plan to save lots of England’s uncommon rivers
She warned that these “jewels of our pure heritage” are getting ready to ecological collapse.
The MP added: “Chalk streams are a uniquely British pleasure – timeless jewels of our pure heritage which have introduced life to our countryside for generations.
“We’re the custodians of 85% of those world treasures, but we’re permitting them to be handled as open sewers by water corporations extra fascinated about revenue than folks and planet..
“My Invoice ensures we lastly give chalk streams the identical reverence and protections that we give to our best cathedrals or monuments – our streams and rivers are simply as a lot part of our nationwide id.”
Chalk streams are fed from underground water and rise by chalk bedrock. This filter course of means the water is obvious, pure, and nutrient-rich.
England is house to roughly 85% of the world’s 200 recognized chalk streams.
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However the delicate ecosystems are in danger due to water air pollution and over-abstraction.
Ms Heylings hopes the Chalk Streams (UNESCO Pure World Heritage Web site) Invoice will formally recognise the rivers for his or her worldwide significance.
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