Last chance for National Park: Citizens decide in the district of Kleve!

Last chance for National Park: Citizens decide in the district of Kleve!

A crucial moment for nature conservation in North Rhine-Westphalia: In the Kleve district, the citizens' decision is imminent for the creation of a second national park! 265,000 citizens will receive their postal voting documents in the coming days and can vote until mid -December whether they are for or against the National Park in the Klever Reichswald. A no could finally end the project, which is primarily promoted by the Greens,.

Why is this national park so important? The only national park in North Rhine-Westphalia is in the Eifel, but Environment Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) warns: Almost every second animal, mushroom and plant species in the country is at risk. A new national park is intended to promote biodiversity and is laid down in the coalition agreement between the CDU and the Greens. The Klever Reichswald, the largest coherent forest area on the Lower Rhine, could be the key to saving many endangered species.

the citizens' decision and its hurdles

The Kleve district council has already decided against the national park, but 17,000 signatures for a citizens' request have turned the decision upside down. Now the supporters have to overcome two hurdles: a majority of the votes must be for the national park, and at least 15 percent of those entitled to vote must participate. This means that at least 39,750 yes votes are necessary. The result is expected in mid -December.

What happens if the citizens vote for the national park? The district of Kleve would apply as a location at the country, and the chances would be good because there are no other competitors. A NO, on the other hand, would definitely bury the project, even if Environment Minister Krischer emphasizes that the door remains open to other regions. The future of species protection could then focus on the renaturation of bogs, which can also contribute to the biological diversity.