5. FGCS
This section is accurate except that the Tourism Committees are now defunct. However, there is a similar input through the Gibraltar Heritage Trust on which the GONHS is well represented.
A point I must make is that it is obvious from the report that the GONKS is well respected in international conservation circles.
6. Conservation concerns
The pressure of urbanisation is clearly there. Government support for conservation has in the past been mostly passive although in recent years the level of consultation has increased greatly. This has probably been instrumental in so far avoiding public controversy on nature conservation. The setting up of a Government agency responsible for nature conservation should home a long-term objective. For the moment, however, much could be achieved much more cost-effectively by increasing support for the GOMIS. This could be, for example, by way of increased specific funding (present funding is only through the cultural awaris committee) and administratire assistance.
7. Recommendations
1. (a)
2. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Action is for the UK Government, although assistance on implementation of the Bern Convention on preservation of wildlife habitats could be sought from Gibraltar. The DUE, which reports directly to London has much of the responsibility here.
See above.
There is a clear need for integration of conlogical guidelines into the planning system. The ideal opportunity exists in the City Plan which could give more emphasis to ecological conservation. The possibility of a qualified ecologist being appointed to DPC could also be explored in the future.
The importance of natural history to tourism is recognised by
Government.
There are other areas apart from the Upper Rock that need protection, although most of these are on MOD land. Government has declared that a nature reserve will be established on the Upper Rock. Steps should now be taken to ensure that this objective is realised.
Fages 61-62
1.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The resources currently allocated by Government to nature conservation are minimal. They amount to an average of £500 per annum given toʻ GONES by the Cultural Awards Committee. This is clearly embarassing in this age of conservation awareness and in that respect the BANC/WWF report has been kind in its comments. I have suggested above that the most cost-effective way of improving the situation is through GONHS. This could be by way of general and specific provision of funds, administrative support and continued consultation. There is no Government conservation agency. However, an official committee could be set up with representatives of Government departments probably Public Works, Environmental Health and Education), the Department of the Environment and HOP/Services (whose responsibility is almost as great as the Gibraltar Government's) and the GONHS, to plan and execute conseravtion projects. Funds should therefore he allocated for this type of work.
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