Machine destroying Balaton reed bed caught 🚜

A serious nature conservation incident occurred on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, in Balatonberény: protected reed beds were destroyed with a land-based excavator in a section of the riverbed directly in front of a residential park. The incident highlights that the protection of the lakeside ecosystem still requires special attention from the local communities.

Erdős Sarolta, head of the Balaton-felvidéki National Park Directorate’s regional unit, confirmed that the machine operator was caught in the act on Tuesday following a public report to the water police. The machine completely destroyed approximately one thousand square meters of the highest ecological value reed bed under national protection and located in a Natura 2000 area. The operator had no permits, and the identity of the client remains unknown.

The destruction affected the entire living community of the area, including protected animals. Nature conservation rangers rescued an injured European pond turtle 🐢 from the site, the only native turtle species in Hungary. In addition, the reed removed with its roots also destroyed the habitat of the protected fen raft spider, including overwintering juveniles.

According to Erdős Sarolta, low water levels increasingly lead to land vehicles entering the lakebed, causing further damage to the Balaton reed beds. The current case also shows that the vigilance of local residents is crucial in preventing such abuses.

Source: 444.hu