Lilian Edenhofer (Free Voters) sounds the alarm: The hiking trails in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen are becoming more and more littered.
The problem has apparently worsened during the Corona period.
More and more rubbish is to be found on the hiking trails in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the forests are used as toilets.
Councilor Lilian Edenhofer calls on the market community to act.
The town hall would like to use gentle pressure to encourage responsible behavior among visitors.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- The photos that Garmisch-Partenkirchen councilor Lilian Edenhofer received from a party colleague of the Free Voters are not very appetizing - and testify to a reckless treatment of nature. Used paper handkerchiefs, pasta packaging, plastic bags and aluminum bowls can be seen in the photos. All things that actually belong in the rubbish bin - and not in meadows and forests. Edenhofer is appalled and complains about the "increasing littering of the hiking trails" in her home town. As examples, she cites the area at the Wankbahn, the mobile home park there and the Philosophenweg. It can get worse: “People use the nearby forest as a toilet. The smell that spreads there is correspondingly. Meanwhile the area resembles a sewer ",the local politician is annoyed in a fire letter to the town hall.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen: hiking trails littered - fire letter to the town hall
"I think this is the result of mass tourism," suspects Edenhofer.
Above all, she suspects motor home owners.
As a reminder: Already in the first Corona year 2020, when the "Vacation at home" boom brought a veritable rush of excursions to the foothills of the Alps, an increase in environmental sins could not be overlooked.
Since then, mayors and local councils have been racking their brains about what they can do about it.
Not an easy task in a region that lives from tourism.
The subject can no longer be put on the back burner.
Lilian Edenhofer
For Edenhofer one thing is certain: "The topic must no longer be put off the back burner, but solutions must be found quickly on the part of the community," she demands in an application.
And the representative of the people already has ideas: You could hire rangers, she suggests, who do more control and, if necessary, issue “severe penalties”.
Edenhofer could also imagine signs with instructions such as “Please keep our nature clean”.
And she advocates installing more rubbish bins - ones that animals cannot easily access.
Because of constant annoyance with day trippers: Ranger soon on duty around Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The market town is aware of the problem. Since the first lockdown last year, "increased rubbish" has indeed been found on the hiking trails, reports town hall spokeswoman Silvia Buyer-Schropp - and acted immediately. Because since then, a round of garbage has been driven twice a week. However, the municipality does not feel responsible for the Wank car park, as it is sublet from the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn to a private operator for management as a camping space.
The town hall would like to use gentle pressure to advertise responsible behavior among visitors - and it relies on experts.
As is well known, rangers of the district are supposed to start their work this summer.
It is your job to check that everything is going well at popular excursion destinations.
In addition, volunteer nature conservation guards are to be trained and sent out in the municipalities - including Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
During the inspection rounds, said buyer-Schropp, the leisure seekers will of course also be informed about the garbage problem.
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