The Federal Nature Conservation Union (BN) denounces massive clear-cutting in the middle of a high-quality bird sanctuary in the Spessart. There were clearcuts and clearcutting-like interventions on an area of around 330 hectares in the Fürstlich Löwenstein Park in the Hafenlohrtal in the Main-Spessart district, said the association’s head Richard Mergner on Monday in Nuremberg. “A natural outrage that is probably unique on this scale in the whole of Germany and has been taking place in the European Spessart bird sanctuary for 22 years,” said Mergner. Many strictly protected bird species have been massively affected as a result. The head of the association cited the middle spotted woodpecker, the collared flycatcher, the gray woodpecker, the black woodpecker, the rough-legged owl and the pygmy owl as examples.
According to BN, the interventions violate the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Birds Directive. In addition, there was no impact assessment before the clear-cutting. The BN relies on a report that it had prepared by a specialist office. According to the association, clear-cutting has been carried out according to the same pattern for years. Large areas of old, ecologically valuable beech forests would be cleared and converted into coniferous forests by planting Douglas firs. The coniferous tree species comes from North America and is considered economically attractive in forester circles and also comparatively robust against the effects of the climate crisis on the forest. During the clear-cutting, many ancient, thick beech trees as well as cave and biotope trees were lost, which are important as nesting places for many rare bird species.
A spokesman for the Main-Spessart district office said that the matter had been comprehensively examined and administrative proceedings had been initiated. It is currently ensured that no further felling will affect the conservation goals. In addition, there were discussions between the authorities involved and the owner family to ensure that the forest area in the bird sanctuary was managed in accordance with the conservation goals.
According to the dpa news agency, the Princely Löwenstein Forestry Office spoke of continued and unfounded accusations and insinuations from the BN, which were not commented on. “We work very well with the district office to preserve the forest habitat in the face of climate change,” it said. Proceedings have been pending at the Würzburg Administrative Court since 2016 due to the clear-cutting in the Hafenlohrtal. According to BN, it has not yet been concluded. One reason is the lack of clear legal guidelines for forest crimes like this.
The BN therefore also sees the Free State as having an obligation. It was said that the state government had failed for years to enshrine a ban on clear-cutting in the Bavarian Forest Act. This is the only way excesses like those in Hafenlohrtal can be prevented and punished. That is why a ban on clear-cutting must finally be enshrined in the Forest Act.