While there was a fall in the amount of litter on Cuilcagh Boardwalk over the weekend, the Countryside Management Officer for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said the issue still remains a big problem and hopes people will take more responsibility when they visit the area.

Last week photographs of a packed boardwalk were shared over social media and the Council said over 7,000 people had visited Cuilcagh that weekend which resulted in a trailer load of litter being gathered on the boardwalk.

And while there was a drop in numbers which meant a drop in litter, it is still a concern.

However, Countryside Management Officer, Imelda McCarron, hopes the message is getting through to people visiting Cuilcagh Boardwalk.

“I think the photographs shared on social media have definitely helped,” explained Imelda. “Reading the comments, people were saying maybe they should leave it for a few weeks. I think the message is definitely getting out there.

“We did litter pick the boardwalk on Saturday and Sunday both and because it wasn’t as busy, the litter definitely wasn’t as bad, but it still is an issue

“People seem to throw their litter whenever they are having their snack or whatever it is at the top of the platform or the stones surrounding the platform. So we have hotspots where we can really predict where the litter is going to be.”

Imelda said that while the littering has an affect on the experience of those using the boardwalk, there is also the affect it has on the surrounding environment.

“Absolutely it has an affect on everybody else’s experiences but as well as that it is so damaging to the environment. I mean the blanket bog up on Cuilcagh is an European designated habitat and its so special.

“A lot of people mistakenly think that if you throw an apple core or banana skin or orange peelings they will bio degrade but a banana skin can take up to two years to biodegrade particularly in a mountain environment where it is a bit harsher and the microbes that break down the skins and stuff maybe aren’t as active as they are in warmer climates.”

Despite the high numbers of tourists and littering, Imelda said they are not planning to close the boardwalk and they have been in contact with other organisations such as Belfast Hill and Wicklow Hills to see what is the best way to tackle litter.

“We are not keen to close the boardwalk again because we understand the need for people to get out and about. We understand that after three or four months of Covid-19 people do need to get out and for their health and wellbeing.

“It’s a problem that everybody in Ireland is having at the moment because of the volume of people that we are all experiencing. It’s a real civic responsibility and people just aren’t stepping up to the mark at the moment.”

Imelda hopes through such things as raising awareness and social media campaigns, people will become more aware of the ongoing issue.

“You would like to think that eventually the message will settle in and people will have their own responsibility but at the moment unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be the case for us.”

With schools and universities scheduled to return in the near future, visitor numbers to the boardwalk may fall but Imelda and the Council will continue to keep an eye and hope that the issues seen over recent weeks will reduce.

“It’s possible the number may stay high in September and October depending on the weather.

“The issues we have experienced during peak season may lessen but we will have to keep a track of it and see,” added Imelda.