Czech-Saxon Switzerland

In the past years Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland (Labské sandstones) has been a region where conservation and environmental interests have gained ground. It is mainly because of the creation of the national parks Saxon Switzerland and Bohemia Switzerland. The first efforts to protect Bohemian Switzerland date back to the 1920´s. During the First Czechoslovak Republic in 1933 there was an effort to protect the area. And Edmund´s Pass, Pravčická gate and Tisá walls were given special status.

The first suggestions of a larger area to be protected were mentioned in diploma work by Jan Čeřovský in 1953 called The Woods in Děčín´s Walls. Then, finally, in 1953 Saxon Switzerland was proclaimed a protected area. Reimar Gilsenbcch the German publicist in 1963 was probably the first to promote the idea of a protected area that included lands in both Germany and at that time Czechoslovakia. In 1972 The Labské Sandstones an area of 300 km2 was proclaimed a protected area. In 1973 other small areas in the region were designated as protected and in 1992 more land was added.

More areas are being considered for inclusion today. UNESCO is considering declaring the entire area of Bohemia Switzerland and the Labske Sandstones a biosphere reserve. Some parts are ready to be included in the European system NATURA 2000.

Source: www.npcs.cz