On Friday, the National Park, which extends over a large area between three major rivers, was part of the series of visits during the course of which Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas, also responsible for environmental affairs, is making personal visits to Hungary's protected areas of natural value.

The 51-hectare Körös-Maros National Park was established in 1997 and is split into thirteen sub-territories. The joint conservation management of these areas was made necessary by the unique landscape structure created by the thousands of years of action and nature-forming activity of the Körös Rivers and the Maros River. The protection of large, arid salt flats, the remnants of marches, and of the remaining natural forests is a highly important task within the Körös area. The National Park is also home to several rare plant and animal species; among others the Adonis Transsylvanica and Salvia Nutans (a rare species of wild sage) grow here, and the most viable Hungarian population of Great Buzzards live in the northern part of Békés County near Dévaványa.

The headquarters of the National Park is located in Szarvas, in a secluded corner of the town surrounded by backwaters of the Körös River, in the Csáky-Bolza mansion. The grounds of the mansion include the 26 hectare Anna grove. Sándor Fazekas began his Friday visit here, where local farmers displayed their wares, such as freshly baked rolls and goat cheese, in front of the Körösvölgy Visitor's Centre, also located here. The Minister also took a walk along one of the educational paths, which introduces the Anna grove and at the same time the natural values and characteristic face of the Körös-Maros region.

The Ministry of Rural Development's celebration to mark Earth Day was held in the visitor's centre, after which Sándor Fazekas presented awards. In his speech he referred to man in the 21st century as "a rich inheritor of fossil fuels". However, he also stressed, that "Today, the "living planet" is relaying unmistakable signs and messages to all of its countries: just think of the extreme climatic phenomena, the increasingly destructive storms, the greenhouse effect, the melting polar icecaps and droughts."

"These all make it very clear that the "blue planet" has given humanity an ultimatum: It either radically changes its energy generation and utilization practices, moderates the exploitation of raw materials, reduces the stress on the environment and learns to better appreciate wildlife and nature, or otherwise, humanity will eventually be forced to move from the oilfields to the fields of Elysium."

"We must avoid this second possibility at all costs", stressed Sándor Fazekas, pointing out, "this is why every day of the year we are searching for a solution to what economic, social and ecological aspects we must consider to achieve sustainable development based on renewable energy."

"It is our common responsibility to devote greater attention and more resources to the preservation of biodiversity, the protection of the environment, waste management, nature conservation, and the practical application of renewable energy resources", stressed the Minister for Rural Development.

"Every inch of green territory, every single square metre is a warranty card towards a more liveable future. Out national parks, landscape protection zones and conservation areas play a vital part in the preservation of our constructed and natural heritage, our folk art and our traditions", said Sándor Fazekas.

At the press conference that followed the ceremony, the Minister reminded those present, "The Ministry is visiting a different national park every month with the goal of drawing public attention to the respect of nature, so that as much information as possible about the Hungarian landscape and its natural treasures enters the public mind. The Körös-Maros National Park and Békés Country both have a wealth of beautiful and interesting sites for tourists to visit, the nearly 60 thousand hectares include characteristic south-lowlands aquatic environments, arid plains, and constructed heritage such as Gyula Castle", he added.

The Minister for Rural Development also presented two successful applicants with farmland lease agreements. He stressed, "The goal of the government's land programme is for the cultivation of state-owned land to be passed on to family farmers, who are then able to supply Hungarian families with healthy foods."

Péter Bak, Head of the County's Land Fund Management Organisation stated that 370 pieces of farmland spanning 2000 hectares had been advertised in the county, in response to which almost 1000 applications were received.

< /p>In the late afternoon, Sándor Fazekas also visited the Great Buzzard reserve in Dévaványa. The Great Buzzard is an exceptional natural treasure of the Dévaványa-Ecseg plain. The National Park's conservationists primarily concentrate on protecting free-range stocks of the bird. Such activities include the establishment of peaceful nesting areas on the plain, or the provision of a winter food supply. The public can find out more about work to protect the endangered Great Buzzard at the Réhely Visitor's Centre between Dévaványa and Ecsegfalva. The Centre also provides an opportunity to view the Great Buzzards and other autochthonous Hungarian domestic animals in their natural environment.

(kormany.hu)