Hungary is launching two large-scale nature conservation projects worth more than 1 billion forints in the Aggtelek National Park Directorate under the Environmental and Energy Efficiency Operational Programme Plus, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Tuesday.
The developments are expected to significantly improve the natural condition of forest areas and strengthen conservation infrastructure for managing grassland habitats in the Aggtelek region.
At the project launch event, State Secretary for Nature Conservation András Rácz highlighted that Aggtelek National Park, established in 1985 as Hungary’s fourth national park, is now one of the country’s most important protected areas.
The directorate manages more than 13,600 hectares of land, including over 11,000 hectares under direct use in the Aggtelek and Zemplén regions. In the Aggtelek area alone, forest compartments cover 4,570 hectares, with more than 96 per cent under direct management, requiring the authority to maintain its own infrastructure.
Rácz said the national park has received 565 million forints in non-refundable funding for a grassland-focused project and 486 million forints for forest-related developments.
The forest project will improve the natural state of approximately 1,700 hectares, with a focus on applying close-to-nature forest management methods. Its objectives include preserving natural and semi-natural forests and gradually transforming uniform or non-native tree stands into diverse ecosystems composed of indigenous species.
Planned interventions include reducing invasive tree species on around 259 hectares, establishing uneven-aged forest structures on nearly 773 hectares, and conducting ecological monitoring across more than 550 hectares.
The second project focuses on the conservation and restoration of grassland habitats in the Aggtelek area, covering nearly 1,500 hectares of protected land, much of which falls under the Natura 2000 network.
The programme aims to restore degraded grasslands, curb shrub encroachment and other adverse natural processes, and ensure land management practices aligned with traditional landscape use.
According to Rácz, the two projects together will contribute to the long-term preservation of the region’s natural values. Improving the ecological condition of forests and grasslands will enhance biodiversity, support habitats for protected species and strengthen conservation management within Natura 2000 areas.
He added that the investments will not only protect ecosystems but also promote environmental awareness and help showcase the region’s natural heritage.
Related articles: