Nature conservation

Abstract

In the Drava catchment, nature conservation is practiced at various levels of institutionalization. In Austria, the uppermost valleys of the tributaries of the Upper Drava belong to the High Tauern National Park. In Carinthia further tributaries issue in the recently established Nockberge National Park and the Upper Drava European Reserve takes care of the preservation of natural values on the Drava floodplain. In Slovenia three Nature Parks (Lake Maribor, Drava and Šturnovec), two Nature Reserves (Zlatoličje and Lake Ormož), and in Hungary the Danube-Drava National Park ensure protection for the abiotic and biotic components of the riverine environment. One of the most valuable protected areas is the Kopački rit Nature Park in the confluence area. On the same Drava reaches river and floodplain restoration projects have taken place recently or are planned in the future. The new Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube (TBR MDD) unites all protected areas from Carinthia down to the Croatian-Serbian border and provides a chance for the better coordination of rehabilitation efforts.