Environmental organization Greenpeace has sounded the alarm on the Czech Republic’s inadequate protection of rare forests within the Natura 2000 network, highlighting systemic failures in forest management and conservation efforts. The organization’s recent statement underscores longstanding concerns regarding authorities’ approval of forest management plans permitting logging activities, particularly in the Eastern Ore Mountains.

Instances of unauthorized logging, such as the felling of beech forests near Marianske Udoli by a private company without proper authorization, have drawn sharp criticism from Greenpeace. Despite confirmed violations of the law by the Czech Environmental Inspectorate, which failed to prevent negative impacts on specially protected species and habitats, authorities have yet to take decisive action to rectify these breaches.

Of particular concern is the discrepancy between approved management plans and their potential ecological consequences, with Greenpeace citing instances where large-scale logging was permitted against the recommendations of nature protection authorities. Nikol Krejcova from Greenpeace emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive assessments of forest management plans to safeguard the integrity of precious ecosystems, such as the oldest beech forests in the Ore Mountains.

The failure of domestic authorities to address these issues has prompted Greenpeace to escalate the matter to the European Commission, signaling a lack of effective enforcement mechanisms at the national level. By lodging a complaint with the European Commission, Greenpeace seeks to hold the Czech Republic accountable for its obligations under the EU Natura 2000 Directive and ensure the protection of sites of European significance.

The ongoing struggle to preserve these invaluable natural habitats underscores the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and proactive conservation efforts to mitigate the threats posed by unsustainable logging practices. As Greenpeace continues to advocate for stronger environmental safeguards, the spotlight remains on the Czech Republic’s commitment to upholding its responsibilities towards biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability within the Natura 2000 network.

Article by Prague Forum