A NATURE reserve at Buriton was "wantonly sabotaged" by vandals hacking out a course for mountain bikes this week. East Hampshire District Council's countryside officer, Martin Healey, described the vandalism at Buriton chalk pits as "countryside carnage". He said the old kiln works, which are a declared site for nature conservation, had been badly vandalised. "Large trees have been axed to pieces and sawn down. Pickaxes and other implements have been used to scour out the chalk to make obstacles for mountain bikes, and the destruction has turned a nature reserve into a scene of utter devastation with trees over 40 feet tall chopped down," he said. East Hampshire District Council Chairman Ken Graham said he was appalled by the vandalism. "It is unbelievable. This chalk pit is an important nature reserve and has been wantonly sabotaged," he said, adding: "we will not tolerate a few mindless individuals spoiling the environment for the many who enjoy it." Mr Healey said that for health and safety reasons anyone attempting to chop or saw down trees was putting themselves and others in extreme danger. "People have been seriously injured or even killed by trying to cut down trees," he said. Buriton chalk pits would now be monitored very closely, he added, and the council would take legal action where necessary to ensure those found to be responsible for causing any damage were brought to justice. Mr Healey asked any members of the public to report anyone known to have been connected with the incident to the police or East Hampshire District Council on 01730 234386. He said calls would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
