The existing nature protection areas only protect little islands of the Southern Harz Gypsum Karst Region. BUND Thuringia advocates the enduring preservation of natural heritage and tries to preserve the potential for tourism and nature compatible development in this region.
A biosphere reserve makes a good start for this project. In the UNESCO-programme “man and biosphere” sustainable development in consideration of ecology, economy and social matters is studied. This should support the economy and tourism, protect the nature and inform the people.
Since 1990 the establishment of a biosphere reserve Southern Harz Gypsum Karst Region has been discussed. 1996 the ministry for environment attested the qualification if the region and from 1999 the ministers of environment formed a workgroup. But only Saxony Anhalt really works on the reserve. Lower Saxony and Thuringia are still lacking dedication to the project.
