Photo: Rita Newman
National Parks – Discover nature
Which National Parks are there in Austria? Hohe Tauern, Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, Donau-Auen (Danube Floodplains), Oberösterreichische Kalkalpen (Upper Austrian Limestone Alps), Thayatal (Thaya Valley), and Gesäuse.
Austria’s National Parks take a special place in domestic nature conservation policy. They are of importance not only to Austria but, for their beautiful natural landscapes, are also of high international interest.So far, six of the most scenic and ecologically valuable Austrian regions have been designated National Parks:
· Hohe Tauern, shared between three Federal Provinces: Carinthia (1981), Salzburg (1984) and Tyrol
(1992),
· Neusiedler See - Seewinkel (1993, in Burgenland, cross-border with Hungary),
· Danube Floodplains (1996, in Lower Austria and Vienna),
· Upper Austrian Limestone Alps (1997, Upper Austria),
· Thaya Valley (1999, in Lower Austria, reaching beyond the border into the Czech Republic),
· Gesäuse (2002, in Styria).
Protecting nature in national parks does not simply mean preservation of existing conditions, but involves a dynamic and process-oriented protection. Human interference is deliberately reduced. In this way a piece of virgin nature and wilderness is preserved for future generations.
National parks are important not only because they offer recreation and beautiful natural scenery. They also represent important places where environmental education and research can take place.
Detailed information on Austria’s National Parks is available at www.nationalparks.at.
25.08.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit