The Green Belt as a European Ecological Network strengths and gaps

Karl-Friedrich Thöne
THE GREEN BELT IN THURINGIA – A VISIONARY IDEA
CLARIFYING PROPERTY RIGHTS
An important step towards realising the development strategies was the clarification of
land ownership rights, which was particularly complicated by the former partitioning of
Germany. Almost all land parcels in the Green Belt were the property of the Federal Republic
of Germany following the laws passed after the reunification of Germany. To prevent
undesirable developments within the Green Belt, the then Thuringian Ministry for
Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Nature Conservation in cooperation with the Federal
Assets Office and other concerned parties set out recommended guidelines for the future use
and leasing of land.
This was recognised as an interim solution for regulating land use until final resolution
of the land ownership situation. The law governing property in the border region also
regulated the sale of properties to their former owners or legal heirs.
Thuringia was the first federal state to take over responsibility for nationally significant
natural heritage sites in the Green Belt from the German state, following an agreement signed
on 9 November 2008. The Free State of Thuringia is in turn committed to continuing the work
already undertaken to maintain the Green Belt as a historical memorial and to develop its
natural potential. In addition, the Federal Forestry Agency has been commissioned to
undertaken work over a period of 8 years totalling some 380,000 € for personnel costs,
material costs not included.
The land formerly owned by the German state – 3800 hectares of the 6400 hectares of
the Green Belt – has been transferred to the Stiftung Naturschutz Thüringen (Thuringian
Nature Conservation Trust). Together with agricultural and forestry enterprises, the Trust
ensures that this land remains accessible and can be experienced while simultaneously
safeguarding long-term nature conservation aims.
RECONCILING CONSERVATION WITH LAND USE - MODERN ORGANISATIONAL
CONCEPTS
Since the reunification of Germany, the former border region has become much more
attractive. The special charm of the landscape has given rise to many different demands by
different user groups, and to increasing conflicts of interest. To avoid risking losing the
irreplaceable value of the landscape, valid land use claims have to be reconciled with the aims
of nature conservation.
To implement the project aims, new approaches were adopted. Local work groups
were established to deal with the problems in their areas. Specific development strategies
were devised for each section of the Green Belt to ensure that the strategies are carried out on
an ongoing basis. Work measures were coordinated by three regional work groups under the
direction of the Authorities for Rural Development and Land Management in Gotha,
Meiningen and Gera. The work groups consisted of representatives from the relevant
authorities and interest groups. Land owners, agricultural and forestry enterprises, local
tourism agencies as well as interested citizens worked together to find balanced approaches
for individual sections of the Green Belt along the former border.
The work groups were charged with the following tasks:
– Consultation and professional assistance in the realisation of local projects.
– Coordinating the interests of landowners and land users.
– Resolving conflicts of land use interests.
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