Drive to boost mountain wildlife

Pumlumon is the highest peak in the Cambrians

Plans to revive wildlife habitats on nearly 100,000 acres of farmland in the Cambrian Mountains have been unveiled.

Wales' wildlife trusts are working with about 200 landowners on the scheme, which could also boost tourism and help the environment too, it is claimed.

Intensive farming since World War II means many habitats in the area have disappeared or are in a poor condition.

Called the Pumlumon Large Areas Conservation Project, it is said to be one of the first of its type in the UK.

Plans include reintroducing native animals such as beavers and cattle and improving habitats for water voles, otters and ground and nesting birds.

But Iestyn Thomas, who is working on the project for Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, stressed proposals were in their infancy.

He added: "We are in a consultation period with local farmers and so far discussions have been positive.

MOUNTAIN FACTS The Cambrians are the source of the Severn, Wye and Rheidol Their highest point is Pumlumon at 2,467 ft The mountain range has been proposed as a national park They extend from the Brecon Beacons to Snowdonia

"In the future there's no reason why animals that vanished from the area over the years shouldn't return.

"Specifically, native breeds of cattle, red squirrels and ponies, which were commonplace in the Cambrian Mountains 50 to 100 years ago.

"Intensive farming methods have seen these animals disappear over the decades."

Mr Thomas said one of the most interesting parts of the scheme centred on the River Severn, which has its source in the Cambrian Mountains.

He said paying farmers to manage mountain-side peat bogs more effectively could help prevent flooding in towns along the river in Wales and England.

Currently, he said, water ran off the hills and straight into the river. Managing the bogs differently could mean they acted as sponges and released water drip by drip.

It is hoped the scheme would be grant-funded.

Spanning the three counties of Powys, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire, the Cambrians are known as the backbone of Wales.