Wilderness protection in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Introduction As in many European countries there has been considerable debate in the Czech Republic throughout the past decade over wilderness sensu lato and non-intervention management in protected areas. Critics may describe this as following a fashion, but they cannot fully dispel the fact that there are several strong motivating factors behind the pursuit of such a policy. From an ecological point of view it is obvious that severe natural disturbances have occurred in Europe (e.g., cyclones and windstorms, such as Lothar, Vivian and Kyrill, insect outbreaks, large fires and floods) resulting in discussions about appropriate ways of managing ecosystems, including whether it is acceptable to use non-intervention management in protected areas. In addition, there are also sociological and cultural aspects to the wilderness discussion. After the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the re-opening of previously closed frontiers, people were able to travel more readily and visit new places, during which they were exposed to new ideas. This has helped to inspire new regulatory approaches, including calls for the implementation of new concepts of nature conservation and ecosystem management. In addition, the development of information technologies has offered new channels for sharing ideas, including the promotion of a greater degree of global responsibility and care for our common natural heritage. The idea of wilderness attracts a broad audience and is widely debated. Some people have personally experienced the wilderness, while others have just a romantic notion of something they have never experienced, whereas others strongly reject the notion that wild nature or wilderness should be protected. In the Czech Republic, the ecological and social changes that have occurred over the last decade have stimulated an increasing interest in wilderness, although the prevailing regulatory conservativism has meant that new ideas have not been adopted easily. Wilderness is still more about emotions than serious arguments, legal definitions and protective legislation. This chapter accordingly provides a concise overview of the nature conservation policy and legislation in the Czech Republic and outlines milestones in the Czech implementation of the European wilderness concept (Section 3). As a case study, the Europe’s Wild Heart project is examined, alongside the importance of a powerful legislative framework for wilderness protection (Section 4). © Cambridge University Press 2016.