The European Commission has discovered that serious damage is being done to environmental areas of interests due to a lack of proper regulation over tourism. Damage in the areas includes the decrease of preservation of biodiversity. The commission has developed a system to protect the wildlife and habitats in these areas but still allows visitors to enjoy the original beauty of the sites.

The commission has discovered damage to the environment by tourists ranges from trampling habitats and compacting the soil to air and water pollution, littering and animal behaviour being altered due to unusual amounts of human contact.

The commission supports tourist activities in these praiseworthy areas but is strongly urging for proper protection over habitats, plants and animals. The model system could be similar to the one used in the central Alps Province of Northern Italy and would allow the following:

• New pathways which would diverge away from areas where fragile habitats are situated
• Pathways that allow safe distance from grazing animals
• Flat areas will be used for tourist walking trails; exclusion of slants that sit 45 degrees
• Pathways will be constructed on areas away from dangerous areas of landscape
• Information about the area should be available to tourists to stress the importance of preservation
• The beauty of the landscape should be stressed in information pamphlets

The commission hopes that a model system such as this will stop damage on the splendid and diverse areas that make up the environment of Europe.

Posted under Articles, Environmental News