a. s. - HeidelbergCement

Objective

The recultivation objective has three main points: raw material mining – nature and landscape protection – recreation, the nature and landscape protection being the priority as this area is a part of the protected area and bio-spherical reservation.

Revitalization of the sand-pit is based on the principle of using natural and managed development with the goal to initiate their creation of quality natural surroundings in an attractive area. The goal of the project is to create a wide spectrum of natural and close to nature communities (mainly water and wetland communities) which would significantly help to regenerate the character and function of the original landscape.

Context

Sand-pits in Veselí nad Lužnicí area are situated in the northern part of the protected area and bio-spherical reservation Třeboňsko, which has been declared by world authorities to be an example of harmonious relationship between nature and human activities.

The sand mining started in the 1950s and stopped in 1986. Technical recultivation was continuously done from 1952 to 1986. In the 1980s a biological recultivation was undertaken and in 2008 a plan about an updated recultivation and follow-up care was worked out.

Solution

Mining areas revitalization is a long-term project, consisting in many partial projects. The project is based on the landscape memory and historical map recording. In this time the area of the interest is visually and biologically compatible with its surrounding. The mining areas are freely surrounded by a tourist path called Veselské pískovny, with interpretation boards which give information about the history and the nature of the area and the urban areas nearby.

Result

In 2008, the project won the first prize in a contest of projects about revitalization of mining areas.

Revitalization of the landscape in CHKO Třeboňsko is the demonstration of exemplary cooperation between Správa CHKO and the mining companies; the result of this cooperation was a unique document called ’Principles of Sanitation and Recultivation of Gravel Extraction Sites in Terms of Nature Protection in the CHKO Area’.

Partners

Správa CHK Správa chráněné krajinné oblasti (CHKO) Třeboňsko (protected area management)