Naturalists have questioned a government department’s commitment to the island’s biosphere status - after a butterfly habitat was partially destroyed at a national glen.

The government says it has pledged to reinstate areas affected by recent upgrade works at Port Soderick Glen.

Manx Butterfly Conservation described the destruction of the wet meadow area - home to the orange tip butterfly which should be on the wing at this time of year - as ’environmental vandalism’.

Contractors working for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture have been accused of ripping up the butterfly’s food plant, cuckooflower, as part of an access improvement scheme.

An area full of marsh marigold, a plant which is no longer common in the island, has also been destroyed.

Manx Butterfly Conservation’s Garry Curtis said: ’There are times when you just despair. How can this happen in a so-called biosphere?

’This is a prime breeding area for orange tip. It was so good we used to hold field trips there. No point going there for a while now.

’Cuckooflower is the prime caterpillar foodplant for orange tip and green-veined white. Marsh marigold is no longer a common plant and this was one of the best places to see it.’

Manx Butterfly Conservation has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of access work due to start at Glen Helen this week.

Bill Henderson MLC, a keen naturalist himself, welcomed the ’much-needed’ path and access improvements at Port Soderick Glen.

But he said: ’There is a well-known bog land/wet area in the central glen where we have marsh marigolds and yellow flag iris growing to name but a few rare plants for the island.

’Also the glen is famous for its butterflies - speckled wood and orange tip in particular.

’The inadvertent damage caused has ruined large areas of much needed bog/wetland habitat which supports many flower, plant and insect species. Bats are known to live in the surroundings and feed off insects which in turn feed off plants.’

Mr Henderson added: ’I am also concerned with regards to some drainage works installed to the rear of the wetland and close to the beginning of the glen. We can’t afford to lose any wetland habitat as it is.

’I understand that the glen paths have to be maintained, but let’s do it in a sustainable way and to the standards our Unesco Biosphere designation requires. This isn’t the fault of the contractors, we should have had an environmental impact assessment done beforehand.’

Mr Henderson has made a formal request to the DEFA for the whole of the Marine Drive and Port Soderick Glen to be designated because of their outstanding beauty, habitat and wildlife.

DEFA said it will work with Wildflowers of Mann to fully restore the damaged area.

It said the repair work was required following weather damage to the glen’s paths and to accommodate less mobile visitors - but machinery used during the restoration causing damage to the river bank.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’Immediate action is underway to reinstate the area and the DEFA will work closely with partners to resolve this as a matter of urgency.’

He said: ’It is important that we ensure our island amenities are open to all visitors, including those who may be less mobile or disabled. We must also ensure that we protect and take care of our natural environment and habitats in a changing climate.’