Dear visitors to the national park,
The Administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park asks and calls on you, as well as business entities developing business activities in the territory of the Veľká Fatra National Park and in its protection zone, not to use fireworks in connection with the celebration of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as other holidays and celebrations, or not to perform activities that will include the use of devices causing light and noise effects. The prohibition of this activity in the territory of the national park (3rd and higher level of territorial protection of nature and landscape) is in Section 14 (1) (f) of Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on Nature and Landscape Protection. In the protection zone of a national park (2nd level of territorial nature and landscape protection), the activity in accordance with Section 13 (2) (n) of Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on Nature and Landscape Protection requires the consent of the nature conservation authority, i.e. consent in the form of a valid official decision. Failure to comply with the above provisions is punishable in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Justification from the point of view of nature conservation interests
The mountainous environment of the Veľká Fatra National Park with its valleys and rock formations provides excellent conditions for the propagation of acoustic shock waves. Explosions and flashes caused by fireworks are thus able to penetrate over long distances, while the intensity of noise decreases only very slowly with increasing distance from its source.
Excessive noise in the form of explosions, intensified by the effect of reflections from rock formations, can represent strong stress for protected animal species with the consequence of direct death, escape reactions, injuries, interruption of hibernation of dormant species, leaving natural safe places, wintering grounds and shelters. The consequence of the brown bear’s stressful behavior can be the interruption of the winter hibernation process and the abandonment of the cubs. In the case of stressed birds of prey and owls, it can crash into obstacles resulting in serious injuries such as a broken wing or a broken spine. In general, stress in wild animals provokes excessive physical activity and the associated excessive burning of fat reserves, which in difficult winter conditions significantly increases the risk of death due to cold and exhaustion. The fatal consequences of the use of pyrotechnics have also been proven on insects, songbirds, and wild animals.
Fireworks do not belong in the forest. Therefore, the administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park believes that you will give the animals a peaceful winter season, that we will all enjoy peaceful holidays together, undisturbed by fireworks, and by complying with the provisions of the law, we will jointly contribute to the protection of the still rich fauna of the Veľká Fatra National Park.
On behalf of the team of employees of the National Park Administration, thank you
Ing. Eduard Apfel
Director of the Administration of the Veľká Fatra National Park
