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A government decree has been issued to restart the comprehensive sustainability program for Lake Balaton, with a budget of 1.5 billion forints (3.8 million euros). Dredging of the lake must begin by the end of October, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development Tibor Navracsics announced on Tuesday in Révfülöp (northern shore).
At a press conference held on the shores of the lake, the Minister said the initiative was jointly proposed by the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Energy and has been approved by the government. He emphasized that although the water quality of Lake Balaton remains excellent and it continues to offer great experiences for tourists, signs of environmental stress are increasing, and the future must be considered.
Lake Balaton. Photo: Hungary Today
The 2021 government resolution on Balaton’s long-term sustainability is still in effect, and the current decree adds a short-term action plan to support it, the politician explained.
Dredging will be carried out with the involvement of external contractors due to the lack of in-house equipment. Preparations, including procurement, must be completed by the end of September,”
he detailed.
The Minister stressed that Lake Balaton is not only a tourist destination but also a place where many people live. “Preserving this fragile ecological treasure is vital for local communities,” stressed. “That is why the government decided to relaunch the action plan to ensure the region’s sustainability.”
The 1.5 billion forint project will be coordinated by the Ministry of Energy, with technical oversight by the Central Transdanubian Water Directorate and in partnership with the Balaton Association.
The goal is to clean out sediment traps and certain bays to prevent ecological risks such as algae blooms and the recent surge in non-biting midge populations.
The Minister noted that timely action can still prevent long-term damage, keeping the Balaton a sustainable and high-quality natural area.
The last dredging projects took place in 2020, 2021, and 2022, costing around 4 billion forints (10 million euros) in total. Future plans will be determined by the Ministry of Energy.
Róbert Pali, President of the Balaton Association and mayor of Vonyarcvashegy (northern shore), said the 120-year-old association represents 93 municipalities and about 270,000 people. After consulting experts and reviewing recent research, the association decided to push more strongly for the continuation of dredging—not just around beaches and piers, but across the entire lake, especially in the western basin, he added.
Lake Balaton. Photo: Hungary Today
The new government decision shows that collaboration between civil society, professionals, and policymakers can lead to meaningful, well-founded outcomes, he noted. Going forward, the Balaton Association aims to provide accurate and timely information to decision-makers with input from experts.
Via MTI, Featured image: Hungary Today