An ecological restoration plan for the Hortobágy National Park is set to ensure long-term habitat preservation by providing a safer environment for fish over the winter, while creating new sites for protected bird species.
- 25 January 2016
Through the wetland rehabilitation project carried out in the Egyek-Pusztakócs marshes, the Hortobágy National Park Directorate has improved the favourable conservation status of the Pannonic salt steppes and marshes habitat type. The renewed Bird Repatriation Centre plays an important role in protecting endangered bird species.
The project aimed at expanding a 4 ha lake into a 9 ha habitat to ensure the survival of fish living in the marsh during winter. Meanwhile, wetland restoration has already been completed in the 10 ha Fekete-rét area. The overall ecological restoration plan has paved the way for larger overnighting sites for transiting water birds.
In addition, existing infrastructures have been improved – these include an educational nature trail to boost ecotourism. The trail presents the area’s development and the education activities of the National Park’s Directorate. The park’s observation tower has also been revamped and orientation signs have been installed.
Improving rescue site operations
The lake-bog’s reconstruction, which began over 30 years ago, has helped preserve the site’s natural resources, while ensuring that the land is used sustainably.
The Górés Bird Repatriation Centre, also located in the park, has been further developed and new sites for protected bird species have been built that accommodate predatory birds, storks, cranes and wild geese.
The project also saw the construction of a birdhouse as well as a facility to accommodate overwintering birds. A web camera was installed beside a white-tailed eagle pair’s nesting site, which protects these predatory birds, monitors their behaviour, and studies how they adapt to their surrounding environment.
Significant investments in nature preservation within Hortobágy National Park have been made since 1976. Through the LIFE project for example, new grass was planted across 760 ha between 2004 and 2008.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Nature Conservation Developments in the Egyek-Pusztakócsi bogs of Hortobágy National Park” is HUF 241 762 379 (approx. EUR 776 622), of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing HUF 241 762 379 (approx. EUR 776 622) from the Operational Programme “Environment and Energy Efficiency” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.