Animals - Nature conservation association denounces clear-cutting in the Spessart
The Bund Naturschutz (BN) in Bavaria has denounced what it sees as extensive clear-cutting in a bird sanctuary in the Spessart. An area of around 330 hectares in the Fürstlich Löwenstein'schen Park in the Hafenlohrtal valley in the district of Main-Spessart has been clear-cut and clear-cut-like interventions have taken place, said the association's chairman Richard Mergner on Monday in Nuremberg.
"This is an unprecedented act of nature conservation on this scale in the whole of Germany, which has been taking place in the Spessart European bird sanctuary for 22 years," said Mergner. Many bird species have been massively affected by this. According to BN, the interventions violate the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Birds Directive. There had been no impact assessment prior to the clear-cutting. The BN refers to an expert opinion commissioned by it.
A spokesperson for the Main-Spessart district office said in response to an inquiry that they had examined the matter in detail and initiated administrative proceedings. It is currently ensured that no further felling will affect the conservation objectives. In addition, there have been talks between the authorities involved and the owner family to ensure that the forest area in the bird sanctuary is managed in accordance with the conservation objectives. The Fürstlich Löwenstein Forestry Office stated that it would not comment on the continued and unfounded accusations and insinuations made by BUND. "We are working very well with the district office to preserve the forest habitat in the face of climate change."
According to BN, another party has had a case pending at the Würzburg Administrative Court since 2016 because of the clear-cutting. The proceedings have not yet been concluded, partly due to the lack of a clear legal situation. The Bund Naturschutz therefore also believes that the Free State of Bavaria has a duty to act. The state government has failed for years to enshrine a ban on clear-cutting in the Forest Act, said BN forestry officer Ralf Straußberger. A ban on clear-cutting must finally be enshrined in the Bavarian Forest Act so that such excesses can be prevented and punished.
BN press release
Read also:
- The Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Birds Directive, both crucial for nature conservation, were allegedly violated during the clear-cutting in the Spessart Forest in Lower Franconia, Germany.
- The clear-cutting in the Spessart, a European bird sanctuary located in Bavaria's Main-Spessart district, has been heavily criticized by the Bund Naturschutz (BN) as an unprecedented act, affecting numerous bird species.
- The BN has pointed out that the clear-cutting in the Spessart, particularly in the Fürstlich Löwenstein'schen Park, has taken place without any prior impact assessment, in direct contravention of proper forestry practices.
- The Main-Spessart district office, in response to the criticism, has confirmed that they have initiated administrative proceedings to ensure that no further felling impacts the conservation objectives in the area.
- Located in the scenic region of the Spessart, Bavaria's Main-Spessart district is home to various species of animals, including several endangered bird species, making nature conservation a critical issue for the area.
- The BN and other conservation advocates are urging the Bavarian government to introduce a ban on clear-cutting in the Forest Act, arguing that such a measure is necessary to prevent excessive felling and ensure the ongoing protection of endangered animal species in the Spessart and other sensitive forest areas in Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
