Information forum for local stakeholders

Water retention artefact were built in Lankóc Forest to improve the water regime of the area and facilitating flood protection.

Water retention artefact were built in Lankóc Forest to improve the water regime of the area and facilitating flood protection.

The Lankóci Forest is one of the study sites of the project, where water retention works are being built in the areas managed by two project partners, DDNPI and SEFAG. Private farmers are also present in the Lankóci Forest, and green NGOs and researchers are also familiar with the sites. The forum for their information was held in October 2019 by WWF Hungary.

The participants were informed about the objectives of the project, and about sites to be considered for water retention during the planning. The most interesting and one of the most important part of the forum was the presentation of the flood map, which was created using an aerial-based relief model. This detailed map shows exactly what areas are affected by the water retention works.

Both the opportunities and risks of water retention were discussed with stakeholders. Many contributors confirmed that drought has become a more significant phenomenon in recent years and decades, and impacts of this can be seen in wildlife as well as in forest stands. The waters coming here could spread out over relatively large areas, but the canals in the forest drain a lot of water. The planned water retention artefacts will extend the period of water outflow and runoff. Some farmers have argued that after heavy rains, a lot of water enters this area and that it should not be prevented from draining. Others argue that there are several current forest associations that do not tolerate prolonged water cover, surface and groundwater stagnant waters.

Many speakers mentioned that only one reason for the presence of less and less water is the lack of precipitation, the other reason is that a significant amount of water flows in the groundwater layers towards the Drava. In their opinion, the problem of the sinking of the Drava riverbed should also be investigated and, if possible, this process should be addressed.

At the information forum, participants were active and there was an opportunity for valuable dialogue. Stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the results of field interventions and field experiences.