The Minister for Climate and Environmental Protection, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, and the Deputy Minister in that ministry, Mikołaj Dorożała, discussed the future of the Białowieża Primeval Forest with local communities, representatives of the world of science, NGOs, foresters, and local government in Białowieża. The start of work on the Constitution for the Białowieża Forest was announced.

During the visit, the Ministry’s leadership met with representatives of the entities managing the World Heritage Site “Białowieża Primeval Forest”, the Białowieża National Park, the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Białystok and the Białowieża, Browsk and Hajnówka Forest Districts.

Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska and Deputy Minister Mikołaj Dorożała also attended meetings with representatives of local government units, scientists, and NGOs.

“We are ending an era in which strategic decisions about the natural environment in Poland are made behind a desk in Warsaw. We have come to the Białowieża National Park to show a new style of work and decision-making”, emphasised Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska.

“When making important decisions, we will listen to the voice of local communities, scientists, NGOs, foresters and local government officials. The Białowieża Forest, among others, needs such strategic decisions”, she added.

During her visit to Białowieża, the Minister for Climate and Environmental Protection announced the preparation of a strategic document for the Białowieża Primeval Forest.

“We are committed to developing a common, unified voice. Work is currently underway on important documents, and our conclusion is one: we need a Constitution for the Forest, and we will want to prepare such a document”, she announced.

Deputy Minister Mikołaj Dorożała, meanwhile, announced the first public and open competition for a UNESCO coordinator for Białowieża.

Adrian Andrzejewski