Hungary’s and Austria’s tourist hotspot Lake Fertő in grave danger

This week, an advisory group from the UNESCO’s cultural organisation visited the site of the Lake Fertő investment on the Hungarian-Austrian border, which has been the subject of a serious debate on both sides for quite some time. UNESCO claims that if the construction projects, which have commenced on both sides of the lake, are carried out as planned, they may result in Lake Fertő losing its World Heritage title. As a consequence, regional tourism could also decline. Furthermore, both countries’ reputation could be seriously damaged. 

The fate of Lake Fertő

According to Szabad Európa, in addition to government members, the delegation also met with civilians fighting for the protection of Lake Fertő. The company responsible for the investment ceased to exist at the end of last year, which resulted in the project being taken over by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation in January. The representatives of civil organisations, the Friends of Lake Fertő Association and Greenpeace on the Hungarian side, WWF and Allianz For Nature on the Austrian side and government representatives from Hungary all gathered to discuss the issues. In addition to the environmental activist groups, locals also protested against the investment, which started four years ago and had cost billions of Hungarian forints.

The civilians voiced their problems that a previously popular part of the lake is no longer accessible to them due to the investment projects. Moreover, fishermen and sailors also face issues when attempting to access certain areas of the lake. The head of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation, János Lázár, has announced, that due to economic reasons, the planned project will only be partially realised. According to Gyula Major, the president of the Friends Of Lake Fertő Association, the government delegates promised that “everything will be nice and good from now on”, and that they would initiate a dialogue between the government and civilians regarding the endangered lake.

Read also: Visit Lake Balaton this autumn for low prices!

All words no action?

The members of the ministerial delegation encouraged the interested parties and activists present to feel free to contact them in case they have any questions. In addition, they assured them about their support in trying to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties concerned. The delegation also said thank you to the civilians for their tireless work so far. However, Major Gyula’s question, which inquired about the exact elements of the partial implementation, has not yet been answered. According to the president of the association, the delegates suspected that this part of the work was still in the discussion stage. The person in charge of the Greenpeace biodiversity campaign on the rehabilitation of the shore of Lake Fertő, Katalin Rodics, said that even if the project is ceased entirely, it does not mean that nature can take over anytime soon as no one will break up the concrete that has already been laid. Rodics believes the machines used for removing the concrete would cause even more damage to the environment.

On the Austrian side, fierce criticism was raised about the potential construction of a hospital. In connection with the investment, our neighbours also pointed out the possible hazards the project would pose on the nearby wetland protected by the Rámszari Convention as well as to the confluence of settlements near the lake shore.

Read also: Lake Velence could completely disappear by 2050

Author: Annamária Mikó