Construction projects threaten Lake Neusiedl: Nature conservation on alert

Construction projects threaten Lake Neusiedl: Nature conservation on alert

In recent years, Lake Neusiedl, part of the Fertő/Lake Neusiedl Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been increasingly affected. Nature conservation expert Christian Schuhböck from the NGO Alliance for Nature expresses his concern about the serious threat to the area from construction projects and climatic changes. This issue came up again at a recent event organized by Hungarian environmentalists.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in 2019, but was canceled due to a bomb threat. The event has now been rescheduled and Schuhböck used the opportunity to point out the dangers that arise, particularly from luxury property developers in the region. A central problem is the 23 lake sites in Neusiedl am See, which were created despite massive citizen protests. These villas offer wealthy buyers immediate access to the lake, which not only disregarded the distance to the waterline but also caused significant damage to the shore.

Excessive construction projects and their consequences

Construction work on the Hungarian side, particularly the project in Fertőrákos, which planned 18,000 square meters for hotel complexes and sports facilities, is currently stalled. Historic pile-dwelling houses had to give way, and a natural lido was completely demolished, leaving what can now be found as a gravel desert. This has put considerable strain on the sensitive ecosystem of Lake Neusiedl, warns Schuhböck.

The general water situation around Lake Neusiedl remains serious, despite the record rainfall recently recorded. These were unable to overcome years of water shortages, which are exacerbated by, among other things, climate change and the increasing water requirements of agriculture. “For decades, thousands of field wells have been used for irrigation without sufficient control, which leads to both the drying out of lakes and the desertification of the more important salt lakes,” Schuhböck continued.

Lake Neusiedl is already suffering from low water levels, which is leading to further intervention measures such as dredging the shore for shipping. Schuhböck clearly warns against anthropogenic interference with nature: The planned lake tributaries from the Danube could unintentionally change the chemical composition of the already saline lake and endanger the flora and fauna that live there.

Environmental concerns and economic interests

Opinions about the impact of these construction measures appear to be divided. While conservationists highlight the consequences for the environment and the fragile ecosystem, tourism operators and local residents argue that such measures are important for the economic health of the region. Schuhböck himself reports on a continuous change in vegetation and nature, which is reinforced by human intervention. However, these ongoing changes risk causing irreparable damage.

In summary, it remains to be said that the challenges for Lake Neusiedl remain complex and multi-faceted, as recent improved observations show. There is a danger that as long as environmental interests take a backseat to economic goals, unique nature and its preservation could fall by the wayside in the wake of these developments.

For more detailed information and a more comprehensive discussion of the issues raised, see the report on www.bvz.at.