The Minister of the Environment, Ján Budaj, presented the best directors for the reformed national parks, who successfully passed the selection procedure for the post of directors of national park administrations. All nine selection procedures have been completed and Minister Budaj has handed over the appointment decrees to eight directors of national park administrations. In one case, the Minister of the Environment, Ján Budaj, appoints the head of Slovakia’s oldest national park after a detailed investigation of all the information that has been reported in the media.
“At the head of national parks, we want capable people who will initiate and acquire European projects. Directors of national parks always have an open door at the Ministry of the Environment. Expectations are high, directors must show that national parks can flourish on the model of advanced national parks, where satisfied, self-confident and proud citizens live,”
stressed Minister Budaj.
Nine national parks have been granted legal personality with higher powers since April 1, 2022. The task of the new directors of national park administrations will be not only the preservation of natural heritage and its protection, but also the socio-economic development of regions, especially through soft forms of tourism. The reform of national parks is part of the Programme Statement of the Government of the Slovak Republic and also of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic.
The Ministry of the Environment decided to entrust the development of national parks to experienced managers who presented the best project for the development and management of a national park. The selection procedures were divided into two parts. In the first part, the selection committee verified the professional knowledge of the candidates. The successful candidates from the first part proceeded to the second part of the selection procedure, which took place in the form of a public hearing.
For the new director of the Slovak Karst National Park Administration, Milan Olekšák, the challenge is to connect natural and cultural values.
“We have been given the powers and we can finally implement modern nature protection in Slovakia. We want to offer the highest quality to citizens,”
Olekšák underlined.
In the Veľká Fatra, they primarily want to restore ecosystems, preserve primeval forest remnants and improve the habitats of the capercaillie.
“Being appointed to the position of director of the Administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park is a great responsibility for me. We want to provide information about the importance of nature conservation in the national park to the public in an understandable form – nature tourism. Our task is to create conditions for society to be proud of national parks,”
concluded the new director of the Veľká Fatra National Park, Eduard Apfel.
Results of the selection procedures for the position of directors of national park administrations – successful candidates
- Administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park based in Martin– Ing. Eduard Apfel
- Administration of the Malá Fatra National Park based in Varín – Ing. Gabriela Kalašová
- Administration of the Slovak Paradise National Park based in Spišská Nová Ves – Ing. Tomáš Dražil, PhD.
- Administration of the Pieniny National Park based in Spišská Stará Ves – Ing. Vladimír Kĺč, PhD.
- Administration of the Muránska planina National Park based in Revúca – Ing. Ján Šmídt
- Administration of the Slovak Karst National Park with its seat in Brzotín – Ing. Milan Olekšák
- Administration of the Poloniny National Park based in Stakčín – Ing. Miroslav Buraľ
- Administration of the Low Tatras National Park based in Banská Bystrica – Mag. Marek Kuchta
- Administration of the Tatra National Park based in Tatranská Lomnica – Ing. Pavol Majko – temporarily entrusted with management
