Local services
On the 4th of April, 2024, 36 bat barrows and 28 swallow nests were placed on Klastrompart in Józsa. In 2019, the treatment of the areas along the Tócó stream began in the district with a large-scale protective afforestation, on the eastern side of the watercourse, where no less than 16,000 saplings of native species were planted using forestry methods.
In 2019, the treatment of the areas along the Tócó stream began in the district with a large-scale protective afforestation, on the eastern side of the watercourse, where no less than 16,000 saplings of native species were planted using forestry methods. The programmes launched in 2019 and successfully implemented over the past 5 years will continue. The previous activities are given a new impetus by the Green Codex, one of the best urban greening programmes in the country, adopted at the February General Assembly.
The 50 measures of the Green Codex, prepared in cooperation with the University of Debrecen, are science-based, locally specific and set out Debrecen’s goals, and will benefit the residents.
Another 10,000 trees will be planted, reforested and the Civaqua programme will continue to provide water to the Great Forest (Nagyerdő) and Erdőspuszta. The package of measures covers all aspects of life, making the Green Codex the leading urban greening programme in the country.
“We do everything we can to make nature and the environment around us the best it can be. In September 2023, the restoration of the original, natural bed of the Tócó stream began, during which we widened the bed of Tócó, created bays, and thus created a new water surface of 5,000 square metres. We will achieve all this by working together. Along the green corridors and the “Plant 10,000 trees” actions, we are today contributing to the further pace of revitalisation by planting 20 native ash and linden saplings on the Klastrompart”, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen Ákos Balázs emphasised.
“Our ecologist Csaba Aradi prepared the management plan for this area earlier, and he is among us, as are members of the Rónaőrző Nature Conservation Association. We also previously launched a competition for ideas under the Civaqua programme. Two communities who successfully participated in the idea contests are with us now: the Fancsika Fans team and the young people from Józsa who have since set up the Green St. George Circle (Zöld Szentgyörgy Kör)”, he added.
“The Civaqua programme will create blue corridors, a blue ring around our city, and the green corridors measure will ensure the green ring, the joint development of blue-green infrastructure, which will serve both nature conservation functions and recreational purposes,” the Deputy Mayor pointed out.
Ákos Balázs pointed out that one of the 16 stations of the Environmental Monitoring System will be located in Józsa, at the Tócó stream. In addition, as part of the LIFE IP HungAIRy Programme, a learning trail will be set up and the City has submitted a tender for the construction of a 1,000-metre long running track in this area.
Ecologist Csaba Aradi, a member of the Green Working Group, spoke about how the Civaqua program filled the Tócó with water again, which invigorated the wildlife in the area. According to experts, there are already returning species, such as pygmy bats, owls and songbirds. He added that swallows will eat the mosquitoes during the day and bats at night. It can be seen that with the water now entering the riverbed, the species we are looking forward to have appeared.
Secretary of the Rónaőrző Nature Conservation Association István Gyarmathy emphasised that the planting of trees today also contributes to the fact that this area, which is otherwise under the grip of civilization, can still preserve the richness and biodiversity that is characteristic of this area. “As an NGO, we have been able to work with the municipality in the past and are still able to do so, which is why trees have been offered to the area,” he added.
Multiple world and European champion fin swimmer, winner of the World Games, member of the Green Working Group Petra Senánszky took part in the installation of the swallow nest and the tree planting, in addition to the specialists of the Rónaőrző Nature Conservation Association, who expressed the following message:
“I try to do my best every time in the pool, let’s give nature the same opportunity to do its best. That’s why it’s important to plant trees. Today’s tree planting was another reminder of this, of the importance of protecting nature. Environmental protection is important to me, which is why I joined the Future of Debrecen Movement. Whenever I can, I take part in the actions they organise,” she said.
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The afforestation process continued in 2022 and 2023 on the west side of the Tócó stream with the planting of native horticultural tree seedlings.
In this area, the goal is to create a hardwood grove (consisting of oak, ash, and elm species), which will provide residents with opportunities for recreation and relaxation, improving air quality and the microclimate, creating a habitat for many species, thereby increasing biodiversity.
During the designation of the location of the saplings, experts from the Rónaőrző Nature Conservation Association were also involved, because these trees will provide a home for bats, songbirds, and protected insect species, thereby increasing biodiversity.
This spring, 100 bat caves were installed along the Tócó stream in Józsa, which is affected by the Civaqua programme, around the Vezér Road reservoir and in the Tócó Valley housing estate. In addition, 3 swallow hotels have been installed, making the watercourse more hospitable for swallows.
With the Civaqua program, the water balance becomes balanced, thanks to the constant presence of water, the number of water-bound insects increases, including the number of mosquitoes, whose most effective natural enemies in residential environments are bats and swallows.
Interventions promoting the well-being of bats and swallows, providing hiding and breeding places, contribute to the enforcement of natural (self-regulating) processes, which results in an increase in the number of swallows and bats and a decrease in mosquitoes. All of this contributes to the preservation and development of biological diversity, which is essential for ensuring the well-being of city dwellers.
Source: debrecen.hu
