SURELY the hills are for us all, the livestock which have grazed them for generations, the wildlife and flora for which the hills provide a unique habitat as well as for people and their various leisure pursuits.

For thousands of years man has manipulated his environment for his own needs and sadly in later generations to its detriment. Now in the 21st Century it is man's responsibility to conserve and protect what natural heritage we have left in this over-populated island.

Today we have at our disposal more knowledge and understanding of our natural world than we have ever had. We understand the consequences of our actions on the environment and indeed of our inaction, as never before. Like charity, conservation begins at home and we need to use all the resources at our disposal, be they mechanical or the mouths and feet of sheep and cattle, to help conserve the beauty and habitats provided by these hills for now and for future generations.

The hills are our backyard and there can be no room for 'Nimbyism' in our efforts to preserve this AONB in which we are privileged to live.

Surely this privilege is worth the relatively minor inconvenience of cattle grids, temporary electric fencing and livestock? Have we become so selfish and so short-sighted that we have forgotten exactly what the Malvern Hills are for?

They, and the rest of the natural world, form part of the myriad of intricate eco-systems that ensure the very existence of life on this planet. They are not merely a leisure resource for us to play on and as such we should respect and care for them. If we do, then the rewards will far out live our short term pleasures, for without our natural world we are nothing.

GERALDINE A HOLBOURN, Midsummer Hill, Eastnor.