Gray Heron in Tyrol: Commercial area expansion with protective measures!

Gray Heron in Tyrol: Commercial area expansion with protective measures!

The gray heron is causing a stir in Tyrol: This endangered bird species breeds in the rare colonies of the Pitztal, including in Arzl, where the community has wanted to expand an industrial area for a long time. The plan was initially approved by the Imst district administration, but the bird protection organization BirdLife filed a complaint in order to protect the gray heron's habitat. But now there's a twist: BirdLife has withdrawn its complaint ORF Tyrol reported.

An agreement was reached through constructive discussions with the state and community. BirdLife will now work to promote alternative breeding locations in the greater Innsbruck area. Katja Bergmüller from BirdLife was positive about the change in thinking: “The support of the state and community was crucial.” In order to monitor the gray heron population at the Arzl site in the long term, the municipality has committed to setting up a ten-year monitoring program carried out by an ornithologist, explained Mayor Josef Knabl. This project is intended to improve the specific habitats of the gray herons and could begin clearing work by September 2025 at the earliest, while planning is currently progressing.

The nature conservation councilor Rene Zumtobel (SPÖ) was satisfied with the solution, which takes into account both the protection of the gray herons and the economic interests of the community. According to those involved, this cooperative approach could serve as a model for future projects in the area of ​​tension between nature conservation and economic development in Austria. The framework conditions are now in place to both secure the gray heron population and promote commercial development.