The number of forest visits is increasing – and that of violations / some do not follow the rules
Out into nature, into the forests, protected areas, parks and gardens: during the corona pandemic with home office, contact restrictions and fewer leisure opportunities, strolling in the country is the trend. A stroll through a nature reserve like Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue near Stockstadt with its alluvial forest and its biodiversity does not always end in the best for plants, animals and the environment.
Thrown cigarette butts on the paths, plastic packaging and empty bottles in the bushes, away from the paths in the protected area: “It was already indicated on the beautiful days in spring and over Easter or on Mother’s Day that last year the pandemic had become strong the increased number of violations continues this year, ”reports the Darmstadt Regional Council on the situation in nature reserves.
“Since last year there has been more rubbish in the forests, and the frequency of visits to the forest has increased,” says the spokeswoman for the Hessen Forest Office, Michelle Sundermann. “Basically we are happy about the forest visitors. Where else should you go during this time? “
However, it is important that the rules are followed. This includes taking your rubbish back with you and respecting barriers. Running cross-country is more risky than staying on the paths, and it disturbs animals that are raising their young right now.
Basic problems that the Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) also sees. “We are fundamentally pleased that people are going back into nature more,” says the spokeswoman for the Hessian regional association, Lynn Sophie Anders. “But you should stick to the rules, especially now during the breeding and setting season.” The forests and protected areas are more frequented. And: “Wherever there is a person, there is also rubbish.” Anders sees the danger of wild barbecue areas as a problem – the forests are much too dry after the past two summers and the risk of forest fires is high.
A year ago, shortly after the start of the pandemic, the regional councils in Darmstadt, Gießen and Kassel had sounded the alarm because of the rule violations in the nature reserves. Authorities reported rubbish and beaten paths, looted nest boxes, trapped lizards and frogs, picnics and barbecues in sheltered areas and dogs not on the leash.
Violations that continue according to the Darmstadt authority. Illegal mountain biking, splashing about in water, camping, wild crickets, unearthed plants and trapped frogs are on the list of misconducts already recorded this year. Animal and plant species are threatened in the nature reserves.
There is also light and shadow at the 48 locations of the State Palaces and Gardens in Hesse. While visitors to the Bad Homburg Palace Park obeyed the rules and handled the facility with care, there was a rubbish problem in the Hanau-Wilhelmsbad State Park from time to time. There you are regularly confronted with the legacies of marriage proposals or photo shoots after weddings, says a spokeswoman and names plastic flowers, aluminum scraps and wax.
The garbage caused at the illegal meetings during the pandemic has to be removed at great expense and is also a danger to the environment because of the micoplastics.
Oliver Pietschmann, dpa
“Wherever there is man, there is also garbage”
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