EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

NOMINATION DOSSIER ANNEX 5.5
"ANCIENT BEECH FORESTS OF GERMANY"
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The official approval of either States Party (Ukraine, Slovak Republic) regarding the extension of the
existing Carpathian Natural World Heritage by German territories is necessary, and is to be provided
to UNESCO together with the German nomination dossier.
Overall control and state coordination in the project rests with the state of Thuringia. At its 86 th meeting
on 06 June 2008, the Landtag of Thuringia resolved to sponsor the nomination campaign of the Federal
Government and the participating federal states. On 20 March 2007, the cabinet of Mecklenburg-
West Pomerania, at its 11 th meeting, was informed accordingly. The State Chancellery of Hesse, the
departments HMdF, HKM, HMWVL, HMdJ, HMWK, HMdIS, HMS, and the parliamentary groups of the
Landtag of Hesse were officially informed by ministerial letter (incl. leaflet) of 11 March 2008 (with reference
to the dedicated website) issued by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Agriculture and
Consumer Protection of Hesse. Moreover, a number of press releases were issued, and the World
Natural Heritage Beech Forests exhibition was presented (all members of parliament were invited) in
the period from 27 August to 15 September 2009. A comprehensive account of the nomination project
was given before the Commission for the Environment, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. In view
of the relevance of the project outlined above and the nomination dossier nearing completion, the
Cabinet is asked to give assistance.
The federal states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Thuringia, and Hesse would bear
particular responsibility in preserving of the Natural World Heritage "Beech Forests” for generations to
come.
Hesse, of all federal states being richest in beech forests and boasting a beech forest national park,
wishes to meet this responsibility for the ecosystem with this nomination. Furthermore, the nomination
presents an outstanding opportunity for the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park as well as the state of
Hesse. What is more, inscription into the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List will, by all means, involve
a tremendous gain in prestige both for the state of Hesse (preservation of globally valuable
beech forests) and the entire Kellerwald region (unique tourist feature). Germany’s beech forests –
including Hesse’s “Kellerwald” – will be placed on the same footing as natural landscapes of world
renown such as the Everglades or the Grand Canyon.
signed
Lautenschläger
Minister of State
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