Quarrying

Our insatiable demands for limestone for all types of building are resulting in more and larger quarries. Some of these break into caves, and in recent years a number have been partially or wholly destroyed. Even when not totally lost, the natures of many caves have been changed by blast damage and the opening of new entrances.

As quite irreplaceable features, vulnerable to attack, caves are badly in need of protection.

Vandalism

The limited number of caves in Britain is being visited by an increasing number of people. Their purposes vary from sport to cave sciences, but the sheer weight of numbers is having a disastrous effect. Vandalism is not uncommon, and with a caver population doubling every 11 years, a policy aimed at the more careful use of caves is imperative, if we are not to be left with nothing of interest by the end of the century.

Pollution

The living creatures in caves are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Even an alteration in the air circulation can change the ecology of the cave. Any pollutant will have a very damaging effect. There are two principal sources of pollution; litter left by cavers, and that entering from farm or industrial sources. The damage to caves must be included in considerations of the total problem of pollution and the environment.

Access

It is not unknown for caves to be blocked by a landowner while others have been made into show caves, mutilated in the cause of "providing better access for the public". While some limitations on access might be desirable in the best interests of conservation, it is most undesirable that arbitrary action of these kinds should be taken. The status of the cave needs to be more firmly established, thus ensuring its more certain future.