For over thirty years I have been living in Ribblesdale. I was fortunate to see the last one in Ribblesdale of those magnificent birds, the black grouse. It was just where thousands of humans now go on sponsored walks each weekend, with others on weekdays: no place now for black grouse, nor the snipe, which was nearby.

There used to be lapwings on the fells - no more. Now I see hang gliders using Simon Fell, where curlews and other flora and fauna have their habitat, especially ground-nesting birds.

The National Park was set up to protect nature and the environment but now it is a playground for humans. Increasingly we hear that the rapid extinction of wildlife means the extinction of us humans.

We really must be more responsible, for our own sakes as well for all life on Earth: we need each other.

Hilary Fenten

Selside