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The result of a WWF survey speaks for itself: Most Austrians want to see local mountains protected from further expansion for ski areas.
This is the result of a market survey commissioned by the Austria branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): For 87 percent of more than 1,000 respondents, this is not acceptable in the case of unobstructed glaciers and regions of high mountain. 64 percent would like the cable car expansion to stop, and 20 percent even want them dismantled.
WWF calls for a change of course favorable to nature in tourism
Shortly before the start of this year’s ski season, which was again restricted by the corona pandemic, WWF is calling for a change in nature-friendly tourism, including final expansion limits for ski areas. In a broadcast Thursday, Christoph Walder, head of nature conservation at WWF, interpreted the survey results as “a clear mandate for politicians. The mania for sprawl in our mountains has left huge scars on our alpine landscapes and has caused massive damage to nature. “
According to information provided by the NGO, only seven percent of the Austrian state area is now considered underdeveloped, so it urgently needs protection. Therefore, WWF is calling for the development of new ski areas in unspoiled landscapes to be halted and for glaciers to be protected without exception. “For most people, additional construction in the high mountains is not very acceptable. Original landscape interventions are widely rejected,” said market study director Birgit Starmayr about the results of the survey conducted in August 2020 with 1,008 participants interviewed online.
WWF survey: building on original landscapes is not acceptable
Specifically, 80 percent of those surveyed do not consider it acceptable to build on landscapes that are still original. 81 percent fear that further landscape development will have a negative impact on recreation and the experience of nature. In the case of slopes and snowmaking systems, 39 percent are in favor of decommissioning and another 47 percent are in favor of maintaining the current state. Only nine percent want more slopes and snowmaking systems.
The expansion of modern ski infrastructure is often accompanied by an enormous amount of land: “As the planned construction of the Pitztal-Ötztal glacier shows, the large-scale construction of highly sensitive glacial areas and the removal of a chain mountain range. These destructive mega-projects must be a thing of the past belong, “demanded WWF expert Walder.
“Nature instead of concrete”: WWF calls for a package of measures from the federal government
84 percent of respondents also said that pristine and attractive landscapes will be increasingly important for tourism in the future. 89 percent would like to unite, without exception, the protection of glaciers and high mountain regions against new construction. 91 percent of respondents were in favor of designating original landscapes as quiet areas where the construction of large infrastructure is not allowed.
As part of the “Nature instead of concrete. Stop building construction in Austria” initiative, WWF is once again calling on federal, state and local governments to agree on an effective package of measures to reduce land consumption.
To the online petition “Nature instead of concrete. Stop the construction of Austria!” is that here.
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