Until now, there was only one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Austria: the Dürrenstein wilderness area in Lower Austria. Now the neighboring Styrian Lassingtal – which has been a wilderness area for two years – has also received this coveted status!
“The Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area is something very special. – this has now been confirmed by its elevation to World Natural Heritage status. Because it is one of the very large areas on our planet, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean,” says Ursula Lackner (SPÖ, Environmental Councilor of Styria). There are a total of 218 World Heritage Sites.
For years, attempts have been made to declare the Upper Styrian Lassingtal in the communities of Wildalpen and Landl a wilderness area. It was successful two years ago. It covers approximately 3,500 hectares of largely untouched nature: humans are only observers and do not intervene.
Last remnant of the jungle in the Alps
In neighboring Lower Austria, part of the Wildnigs area has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2017. The Rothwald is also the last major remnant of the Alpine forest, which was placed under protection in 1875 by Albert von Rothschild. Here, large people lie on dead wood, spruce and fir trees can live up to 600 years. Access is regulated and research is also subject to strict requirements.
With the UNESCO designation, the Lassingtal is now part of a European network of beech forests, which are grouped under the title “Beech forests and primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe”. It covers 94 areas in 18 European countries.
“New tourist perspectives”
Regional Agriculture Councilor Hans Seitinger (ÖVP): “The Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area is not only a huge benefit for biodiversity and species protection, it also opens up new perspectives from a tourism perspective.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
