The Königsbrücker Heide in the Lausitz: Why does official action lead to problems?

The Königsbrücker Heide, once an important military training area in Lusatia, has experienced a checkered history over the decades. Today it is a protected nature reserve that plays an important ecological role and at the same time carries deep traces of its past. Despite their importance for nature conservation, there are major challenges in the room, which arebehavior of the competent authorities or have become intensified over time. These problems affect both nature and the local people who have to deal with the consequences on a daily basis.

Remaining danger: dud from military use

For many decades, the heath was used as a military training area, which meant that large quantities of ammunition remained in the landscape. Although military operations have long been stopped, numerous duds remain hidden in the ground. These pose a significant danger as they could explode at any time. The evacuation of these duds wasHowever, only extremely hesitantly advanced and is still insufficient. The claim that the area is safe is refuted by reality. Incidents occur again and again in which duds could be discovered or even accidentally triggered. This clearly shows that the measures so far have not been sufficient and that a sustainable solution is urgently needed.

Risks of insufficient evacuation and security measures

The lack of evacuation of the duds has a direct effect on the use of the heath. Large parts of the area are closed to the public as entering is too dangerous. These closures significantly restrict the population’s freedom of movement and at the same time impede the development of the region as an attractive travel destination. The authorities have failed to find a balanced oneFinding a solution between nature conservation and security, so that the region remains inaccessible to many people.

Deadwood as an ecological risk

Another major problem area is the strong accumulation of dead wood in the heath. While deadwood fulfills an important ecological function in natural forests, it can quickly become problematic in a man-shaped cultural landscape, such as here. The authorities have not developed a clear strategy for handling the deadwood, which is why it accumulates uncontrollably. thisAccumulations promote the spread of pests such as bark beetles and increase the risk of forest fires – a danger that is particularly critical in the Königsbrücker Heide due to the military history.

Forest fire protection: neglected prevention

The risk of forest fires is considerable in the heath. The combination of lots of deadwood, dry summers and the historical use as a military area creates ideal conditions for fire. Despite these dangers, however, no sufficiently preventive measures were taken. The infrastructure for firefighting is defective, since the heath is difficult to access and only a few paths foroffer emergency vehicles. This makes the fire brigade’s deployment considerably more difficult and increases the risk of uncontrolled spread of fire. Important preventive measures such as putting on firebreaks or deliberately removing deadwood were omitted for a long time.

Prohibition of access: restrictions on the possibilities of use

Another result of official action – or rather non-action – are the strict prohibitions on entry. Large areas of the heath are closed to visitors because entering is too risky due to the duds and other dangers. These closures significantly restrict people’s freedom of movement and inhibit the tourist development of the region. The authorities haveIt fails to create a reasonable balance between nature conservation and security. Instead, the area was largely isolated, resulting in alienation of the population from their own home. The heath is a central part of the regional identity, and people have a right to actively experience and enjoy their homeland. The current onesNo entry prohibitions are therefore a massive restriction of this right.