“From knowing comes caring & from caring
comes change”
As Tour provider &
of course as a trekking guide Mont Blanc Treks our obligation to minimise any
harm on the environment that we work in and has a duty to make sure all our
guests visiting are fully aware of the environmental issues that face this most
impressive landscape.
It’s a fine balance between
the love & passion people have for this area & the effects of tourism,
the environment around Mont Blanc is extremely fragile & its location and accessibility
is its own worst enemy. This is the third most visited site in the world &
Mont Blanc attracts approximately 6 million visitors a year. Tourism has been
the focus within the area since the 17th Century and since then Chamonix &
its surrounding area has developed into an all year around resort & a mecca
for mountaineering, hiking, skiing & sightseeing. The very fact that you
can, within an hour from Geneva international airport, be up close &
personal with the highest mountain in western Europe & be in spitting
distance of the most impressive glaciers in the world is why this environment
is under such threat.
In the 25 years that
I have been in the valley I have noticed a massive difference & have seen
the environmental impact with my own eyes, most noticeable is the retreat of
the glaciers to incredible proportions.
Main problems
- · Air pollution
- · Littering
- · Erosion
- · Degradation of vegetation
- · Disturbance to Fauna
Air pollution
Air pollution in the
Chamonix valley is a real problem this is caused by the volume of traffic from
tourism & also the location of the Mont Blanc Tunnel which connects France
to Italy making an easier route for freight traveling through Europe. It is
also caused by residents burning green waste during the winter. As the ‘V
shaped’ valley is so steep sided polluted air often remains trapped in the
valley bottom especially in winter.
So how is the problem being tackled?
- · Redevelopment of the rail system making the valley more accessible by rail from the outlying areas.
- · Free transport system within the valley & the investment in green buses.
- · Forbidden access to the valley for the most polluting vehicles
- · Financial incentives & tax benefits to those renovating properties in an environmentally friendly & energy saving way.
·
There
are still major issues with the volume of freight using the Mont Blanc Tunnel which
is Swiss, French & Italian owned. Before we see any significant change here
there needs to be greater intervention & investment from central
government.
How can you help?
Use the local public
transport provided, in most cases its free or heavily subsidised.
Use shared transfers
to & from the airport rather than arriving individually.
Littering in the mountains
The state of our
world oceans has hit major headlines over the past year but this is also a
problem in the mountains, it’s hard to believe in this day & age but the
mountains are littered with obsolete facilities such as barbed wire, live
shells, ammunition, abandoned ski stations and disused cable and of course
rubbish left behind by climbers, hikers & skiers.
So how is the problem being tackled?
Since 2002, Mountain Wilderness has
been working on this problem, including raising awareness of the adverse
impacts of this debris on fauna and fora, soils and rivers, and on the global
ecosystem. With projects, such as Cleaning up
the Alps
How can you help?
We ask that you do
your bit when coming to the Alps this year & in the future. “Take only
memories & leave only footprints”, pass though this environment, enjoy what
you see & leave minimal trace. Take your rubbish with you!
Erosion & degradation of
vegetation
As you would expect
the trails on the Tour du Mont Blanc take a pounding between June & the end
of September. The trails are scars on the landscape & we are not going to
be able to reverse that but we can reduce & stabilise the effects. The effects of trampling on vegetation when folk
veer off the trails, and the rate of recovery of vegetation is massive.
Considering most of the landscape you walk on between June & September is
covered with snow for 6 months of the year there is limited time for rejuvenation.
The flora & vegetation is fighting a losing battle when if the only time of
the year it can flourish it gets destroyed by us.
So how is the problem being tackled?
·
In most
parts of the tour there has been great efforts made by communities & volunteers
to implement erosion control.
·
Sections
of the trail that are most at risk have been closed & diversions are put in
place.
·
Areas of
fragility have been sectioned off to prevent human traffic.
How can you help?
Don’t take shortcuts
& stay on the trails & respect any signage, notices & redirections.
Disturbance to Fauna
It is fantastic to see Ibex, Chamois & Marmot whilst out on the trail
but this has become less frequent in recent years due to the number of hikers. Human intrusion into their territory disturbs
them as wild animals are shy
and love to be on their own.
So how is the problem being tackled?
·
The creation
of National Parks & Nature Reserves & you will pass through several
these on the Tour du Mont Blanc & Haute Route.
·
Strict
rules & guidelines for folk to adhere to, these are clearly displayed on
the boundaries to the Nature Reserves.
How can you help?
Take notice when
entering the Nature Reserve, adhere to the rules & regulations. Do not
leave food around after a pic-nic stop even biodegradable waste for example, an
apple core or banana skin.
Active organisations
There are several organisations
that are active in this area & worldwide, take a look at the work they do
& the projects they promote & support. They rely on our support whether
that be by means of donating, becoming a member or just casting your vote in
support of a particular project.
Mountain Wilderness: http://www.mountainwilderness.org
Mountain Wilderness
International (MWI) is an umbrella organization that facilitates communications
and exchanges between the country organizations or chapters of Mountain
Wilderness, where most of the action occurs. It coordinates and organizes
international actions and is the official representative of the association in
all international contexts with Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.
European Outdoor Conservation Association: http://www.outdoorconservation.eu
The outdoor sector
and the millions of people who enjoy the great outdoors are active champions
for the conservation of nature and wild places*
As a charitable
organisation directly funding specific projects, the association wants to show
that the European outdoor industry is committed to putting something back into
the environment, and all working together a real difference can be made.
ProMont Blanc: http://www.pro-mont-blanc.org
The third most
visited natural site in the world, Mont-Blanc attracts nearly 6 million visitors
yearly. Without the benefit of international protection, the mountain is in
real danger to the pressures of economic development and climate change. The
goal of proMONT-BLANC is to make this mountain region a model of tri-national
management and sustainable development - with a legal and political status
recognized by the 3 countries and their local municipalities. ‘‘ Barbara Ehringhaus, Présidente of
proMONT-BLANC
Mont Blanc Treks gives
financial support to EOCA & Pro-Mont Blanc
For further advice
& information regarding the environmental issues facing this area of the
Alps then please get in touch at: info@montblanctreks.com
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