In untouched forests, forestry has stopped, the chainsaws have been packed away, and the trees are thus allowed to grow old, while, for example, bogs and fungi are a common sight.
More specifically, the agreement means that 385 state forests are designated as untouched forest, where the trees and the rest of nature are allowed to fend for themselves.
This is 30,000 new hectares of untouched forest. According to the Ministry of the Environment, this corresponds to an area that is three times as large as the City of Copenhagen. Or the whole of Langeland. The proportion of untouched forest in Denmark thus amounts to just over 55,000 hectares.
– We are in a natural crisis, where thousands of animal and plant species are in danger of extinction. That is why we set aside DKK 888 million on the Finance Act for 2021 to give nature a historic boost, says Minister of the Environment Lea Wermelin (S) in the press release with reference to the nature and biodiversity package from December last year.
Here, the parties to the agreement agreed to find further untouched forest and secure a total area in Denmark of up to 75,000 hectares.
– When we now more than double the area of untouched forest in Denmark, we fulfill a promise to both Danes and Danish nature. In the pristine forests there will be a lot of variety with dead trees, more old trees, clearings and forest bogs.
– The forests thus become a place where a lot of endangered and rare species can find habitats to frolic in, and where we can all have great nature and outdoor experiences, says the minister.
The designated 385 state forests are primarily old deciduous forests located in eastern Denmark and on Jutland’s east coast. Some of the major designations are Store Dyrehave north of Copenhagen and Nørreskoven on Als.
SF’s nature spokesman, Rasmus Nordqvist, is happy with the agreement.
– The new untouched forests will to that extent become a much-needed free space for us humans, but most of all for nature, the animals and the trees, he says.
Zenia Stampe, environmental rapporteur for the Radicals, is looking forward to visiting more untouched forests.
– It will be a huge adventure for all nature-loving Danes, she says, while the Unity List’s environmental spokesman, Peder Hvelplund, adds:
– Animal and plant species that disappear in the thousands are a powerful reminder to all of us that something must be done now.
– Nature is the weak point here, it does not shout out by itself. Therefore, the 30,000 new hectares of untouched forest is a huge and important step we are now taking on behalf of nature.