How to save capital's wildlife

Martin Delgado12 April 2012

A strategy to protect the capital's wildlife which promises all residents a "quality natural space" near their homes was unveiled by the Greater London Authority today.

Open space will be created and more than 1,300 sites - about one fifth of London's land area - will be subject to special measures to ensure nothing disturbs the wild creatures in one of the world'sgreenest cities.

More than 1,500 species of flowering plants and 300 types of birds, including the corn bunting and spotted flycatcher, have been seen here in recent years.Invertebrates present include the buttoned snout moth and freshwater white-claw ed crayfish.

South London is a European stronghold for the UK's largest insect, the stag beetle, while the Thames supports 118 species of fish. All deserve protection, Mayor Ken Livingstone said today,launching his 188-page plan.

Protected areas include Rainham and Crayford marshes, woods in Ruislip and Hainault and wetland in Barnes.The GLA will identify Sites of Metropolitan Importance for N ature Conservation which councils will be urged to protect when considering planning applications.If development is allow ed, "compensatory measures" will be taken to ensure creaturesliving there are not disturbed.

Special attention will be paid to the Thames and other urban waterways, with plans for a London Wildlife Week involving schools and voluntary groups.Developers will be encouraged to create habitatsfor endangered species, and a campaign will be launched to prevent London airports being used in the illegal importation of endangered animals.

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