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
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Source: www.stern.de
