Most Beautiful Forest Title Goes to Debrecen’s Nature Reserve

Debrecen’s Great Forest (Nagyerdő) has won the title of Hungary’s most beautiful forest in an online vote launched by the Ministry of Agriculture. Minister István Nagy presented the certificate of recognition to Mayor László Papp and Tibor Hidas, CEO of Nyírerdő Zrt., in Debrecen on Monday.

István Nagy said that based on more than 61,000 votes cast, the Zsófia Viewpoint in Lillafüred, managed by Északerdő Zrt. came in second, and the Cuha Valley, managed by Bakonyerdő Zrt. came in third.

During the COVID epidemic, the number of visitors increased, with an estimated 40-50 million trips to the forests each year, the minister recalled. He noted that the forest was “a wonderful place to see our wildlife,” positively affecting the body, mind, and soul at the same time, and could be visited in all seasons.

Forests also play an important role in climate change, which is why

the doubling of Hungary’s wooded areas in a hundred years is a major achievement.

Today, 2.3 million hectares, a quarter of the country’s land area, is covered by forest. The goal is to reach 27 percent by 2030,” explained Nagy.

The heatwaves of recent days have shown the need for forests and responsible forest management.

The minister pointed out that since 2010,

the Hungarian government has spent HUF 33 billion (EUR 86.7 M) on a network of 11,000 kilometers of signposted hiking trails, 1,200 kilometers of cycle paths, and 400 kilometers of bridleways.

László Papp said that the city was taking good care of the Great Forest, which became a nature reserve in 1939.

“I am proud that 34 percent of the city is forest,” the mayor emphasized, adding that this implies responsible management. The forest will be replenished with water through the Civaqua program’s developments; the city will also participate in the installation of water reservoirs, especially near industrial parks, the mayor added.

Featured image: Facebook/Agrárminisztérium