Recent incidents of campers leaving behind all of their rubbish in the Glenmalure Valley has prompted the local community to remind visitors of the importance of the natural and built heritage of this unique valley. The Glenmalure PURE Mile Group undertake regular litter picks and cleanups of the area, but due to the serve warm weather the number of abandoned camping sites has increased.
A member of The Glenmalure PURE Mile Group stated;
‘We recognise there has been a vast improvement in the area and the majority of people respect the valley. There is no doubt that our message is getting out there – Take out what you bring in – but unfortunately a minority are spoiling it for everyone’.
The groups resent cleanup removed a number of abandoned tents, bottles, cans, bar-b-ques, meat wrappers, nappies, even a child’s potty. PURE were notified of the cleanup on Tuesday and all of the rubbish was removed by the PURE Truck the following day.
Ian Davis, Project Manager of PURE commented,
‘The Glenmalure PURE Mile Group, and the PURE Project, are working extremely hard at keeping the Glenmalure valley clean and pristine, the way it should be. Our very first cleanup in 2015 resulted in the removal of over 6 tonnes of illegal dumping from the valley. Things have improved dramatically, but it is disappointing and frustrating that a minority of visitors to the area are undermining all of this hard work.
Visitors are also reminded that there is currently a red fire warning and that no fires should be lit. A number of fires have already occurred, and it is evident from photos of the recent cleanup that fires were lit at a number of sites.
Peter McGloin from Coillte also pointed out, ‘We continue to work with the PURE Project and all of the Glenmalure PURE Mile Group and are determined to combat all types of illegal dumping in this upland area’.
PURE have engaged with a number of special interest groups and business through their Cleanup The Uplands Campaign, to adopt and upland area, which has resulted in over 60 groups enlisting in the 2018 PURE Mile competition. This year there over 1,000 volunteers, all of them improving and enhancing over 200 miles of road, forestries, woodlands, upland amenities and mountains, with the removal of tonnes of illegal dumping and litter from the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands.
A recent cleanup of the Lackan Sorrel Road in west Wicklow by the Reservoir Cogs Cycling Club in Blessington saw volunteers spending their Saturday litter picking the entire road, resulting in the removal of a large number of bags of rubbish, including, a vacuum cleaner, paint pots, electric cable and chipboard.
A member of the group commented, ‘We became involved in the PURE Mile Cleanup The Uplands as we are lucky to use most of the beautifully scenic roads in Wicklow, so we felt it would be a good activity to help with the fantastic work that the PURE project does in keeping this beautiful and scenic landscape in pristine condition’.
Vagabond Tours Ltd have adopted the magnificent valley floor of Knockree in the Glencree Valley, a popular camping destination, which unfortunately is also prone to regular littering by irresponsible visitors and campers.
The group organised a number of cleanups at that site and are delighted with their results stating that;
‘All of the office thought we would do our bit for Wicklow, and found the PURE Project was a perfect fit for us. Hopefully it’s not just a coincidence, but it would appear that a clean mile attracts less littering than a littered one’.
The concept of The PURE Mile is pure and simple, It’s Your Environment, Your Community, Your Heritage.
If any groups, communities, individuals, schools, walking groups, cycling groups, scouts, businesses, anyone, wants to get involved in the 2019 PURE Mile, they can contact PURE at info@pureproject.ie or download and application from www.pureproject.ie/what-we-do/the-pure-mile/. You can also write to; PURE Project, Wicklow Mountains, National Park, Kilafin, Laragh, Bray, Co. Wicklow and they will post out all the information or request an application form and information pack by phoning PURE on 0404 45547.
You can follow the PURE Project on;Facebook www.facebook.com/Pureproject.ie/ Twitter www.twitter.com/PureProject1 Web www.pureproject.ie
TO REPORT DUMPERS AND DUMPING lo–call 1850 365 121
