Madam, - Portumna Forest Park, which extends to more than 1,000 acres, lies adjacent to Portumna, Co Galway and is flanked to its south-east by Lough Derg. It contains a wide variety of deciduous and evergreen trees, both naturally occurring and planted. Despite recent extensive clear-felling of trees, there are still many areas full of lovely, unspoilt wilderness. Indeed most of the park is a haven of peace and tranquillity and is home to the increasingly rare red squirrel, pine marten, jay, an occasional hunting barn owl, a large herd of deer and much, much more.
The park is owned and managed by An Coillte. In 1997, an 11 acre plot of land, contained in a delightful unspoilt spot within the boundary of the park, was zoned residential. Unfortunately, very few local residents became aware of this zoning decision.
Just recently, an Coillte aired its intention, via a professionally produced brochure, to build a 20-house development on this site. This has come as very disturbing news for the many people who deeply appreciate the park both for its wildlife and as one of the few spots in the country in which to escape the bustle of traffic and the built environment.
We desperately need larger wildlife reserves and national parks with an absolute guarantee that all the lands contained therein remain inviolate - that is, permanently zoned "amenity and environment". Surely Portumna Forest Park, already established and largely unspoilt, would make an ideal candidate?
Already, a large chunk of this park has been lost to the local golf club. Can we really afford to lose any more of such a precious amenity, this time to bricks and mortar - in a country where so much of our wildlife is under constant threat from man-made pollution and an ever shrinking natural habitat? - Yours, etc.,
BARBARA CORCORAN, Upper Grange, Lorrha, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.