More than 4,000 hectares of protected natural areas have been established in Hungary in the last 10 years
The Natura 2000 area accounts for more than a fifth of Hungary, and nature conservation investments worth more than HUF 80 billion have been implemented in these areas on about 300,000 hectares. In connection with the Hortobágy National Park, Minister of Agriculture István Nagy drew attention to the fact that the Board of Directors started 9 priority nature conservation developments with the support of about HUF 6 billion within the framework of the Environmental and Energy Efficiency Operational Program launched in 2014 and running until 2023. As a result, the conditions for the conservation of natural values will be improved in a total of about 5,000 hectares of protected natural areas.
He added that the area of operation of the Board of Directors includes such important habitats as the wetlands of the Nyírség bogs, the Kis-Tisza in Tiszakürt, Hortobágy, Nagykunság and the Upper Tisza region.
Three key investments can be made in these areas this year, which could improve the condition of wetlands on 1,373 hectares.
water retention, water management for conservation purposes will be ensured, helping to conserve stocks of habitat-bound species such as red-bellied toad, four-leafed willow, steppe butterfly or many waterfowl species. This improves the living conditions not only for these species, but also indirectly for those who live there, as the proper water management and biodiversity of an area create the necessary farming and living conditions for humans.
The Minister also noted that the number of farm animals in the National Park Board, which is key in the management of protected natural areas, has almost doubled in the last ten years. The population of native animals, such as the Hungarian gray cattle and the Hungarian domestic buffalo, exceeded 14,000 by 2018, which is an increase of more than 45 percent compared to 2010.