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Mountains: Nature Conservation

Asked by Andrew RosindellReform UKDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 29 April 2025UIN 45507

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with relevant authorities to protect the ecosystems of mountain ranges.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Mountain ranges, and specifically the montane habitats they contain, can support a unique flora and fauna. They receive the same statutory protection as other nationally important sites in England. The Cumbria High Fells for example has 110 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that cover about 18 per cent or 35,852 hectares (ha) of the area. The majority of this SSSI area (31,286 ha) is also designated under the Habitats Regulations as ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ (SAC).

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