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85 years
has passed!
December 29, 1921 - that date is considered to mark
the beginning of the Bia這wie瘸 National Park. A team of scientists
and nature enthusiasts declared the part of the Bia這wie瘸 Forest situated
between Narewka i Hwo幡a rivers Forest District "Rezerwat". That was
the best preserved part of the Bia這wie瘸 Primeval Forest and it was
decided it should be a subject to the highest form of protection. That
fragment of the forest was the beginning of the Bia這wie瘸 National
Park, is still the most valuable part of it and is strictly protected.
The Bia這wie瘸 National Park is one of the oldest national parks in
Poland and probably the most known and most valuable one although other
parks have a long and glorious tradition as well.
Why the Bia這wie瘸 National Park is so special, not only in Poland but also in
world? What is the reason that every Pole is proud while being abroad hears that
the Bia這wie瘸 National Park is delightful? Are we conscious of the fact that
the beginning of the Park was also the beginning of Poland after First World
War? Do the value and fame of the National Park serve well to promote the region
and the country?
The Bia這wie瘸 Forest and the National Park, situated in the centre of it, is
undeniably an unusual forest. The value of it is well known and respected by
every European generation. It is situated far from the dynamically developed
western Europe. That means that it did not pay the price of civilisation which
other forests had to pay in the past and pay currently. So we are the owners
of the relict of the past, which witnessed the times when nature ruled the continent.
That is the reason to be proud for every Pole. Such object as the Bia這wie瘸
National Park should be protected not only to keep biological diversity. It may
be treated also as the means of development for the region without loosing its
values.
The Bia這wie瘸 Forest is the last well preserved fragment of primeval European
lowland deciduous forest. Its value and the natural character is the result of
longlasting protection implemented by the emperors of eastern Europe: princes
of Lithuania, kings of Poland and Tsars of Russia. The biological diversity of
the Forest is exceptional and is based on richness of fungi, plants and animals
which are often the relicts of the primeval forests. The Bia這wie瘸 Forest should
be the model habitat for all other European forests because of the high number
of natural ecosystems and the natural processes taking place there.
Relicts - the remains of the primeval forests which can not be seen in other
forests - are the greatest value of the forest saved thanks to a long and constant
protection of the area.
That is what makes the Bia這wie瘸 Forest the unique place:
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Bia這wie瘸 Forest is the place where natural processes have been
running not broken by direct human interference for thousands
of years on a large area.
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Permanent presence of uprooted and broken trees, dead wood and
hollow trees create a specific place to live for a great number
of forest species.
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The largest population of the European bison in the world exists
there
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Rare fauna of forest dwelling birds and invertebrate typical of
the forest environment.
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Diversity of fungi and all species of large mammals characteristic
of this type of forests.
The Bia這wie瘸 Forest is a multi-species and uneven-age tree-stand
with diverse spatial structure. The central part of the Site,
strictly protected
by law,
is still a natural mixed deciduous forest with a primeval character
where climatic conditions and biological processes still are
the basic factors
shaping ecosystems.
The diversity of ecosystem especially in Bia這wie瘸 National Park
is very high and includes almost all forest communities present
in whole
of the
Bia這wie瘸 Forest.
Not only the number of species is important. The Bia這wie瘸 National
Park is very valuable and unparalleled because of specific species
of plants,
animals
and fungi which live there. The significant part of them are related
to the environment not changed by a human being nor civilisation.
It is also
characteristic
that
there is high diversity of species but they are not numerous. There
are more reasons why the Bia這wie瘸 National Park is so unusual.
It is obvious that people miss the places which are not touched by
human activity but marked by magic and natural beauty. Bia這wie瘸
is this kind
of place. That
is why each year more and more people come to visit it and find an
asylum from everyday problems.
This year falls the 85 anniversary of the beginnings of the Bia這wie瘸
National Park. The long existence itself is the reason to be proud
and honoured but
it also obliges us to continue the protection of the unique values
of nature.
The Direction of the Park proposes numerous activities to celebrate
the anniversary during 2006 year. The events concerning science,
education, recreation, tourism
and culture are directed to all interested. Everyone will find something
interesting and entertaining. There are events which are the constant
attraction in the
calendar of the Park and also some new ones with an international
character. As usually,
we would like to ask for help our reliable partners: local government,
foresters from the State Forest, scientific institutes of Bia這wie瘸
and scientists
from all over Poland, sponsors and donors, non-governmental organizations,
representatives
of media as well as local community.
We would like not only to accentuate the achievements of the Park
in protection of the heritage but also to ameliorate contacts and
dialogue
with our partners.
This will be the Park`s contribution to effective protection of the
whole Bia這wie瘸 Forest and sustainable development of the region.
Our experience shows that we may rely on our partners and friends.
I would like to use this unusual occasion to ask them for help and
support
our
plans in 2006
year. I am convinced that most of our projects may be connected with
your plans and promotion campaigns. I assume that this undertaking
should give
profits
for both sides. You will also have our gratitude which is ever-lasting
as the values
of the Bia這wie瘸 National Park, the oldest park in Poland are ever-lasting!
J紌EF POPIEL
Director of the Bia這wie瘸 National Park
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