The rush of people in the mountains of the Tegernsee valley does not leave nature behind without a trace.
The “Skin of the Mountains” working group has set itself the task of documenting the effects.
Tegernseer Tal
- mountaineering and outdoor activities are popular - especially since Corona.
This is also felt by nature in the Tegernsee valley.
Every path, no matter how small, is identified and then published in relevant outdoor apps for imitators.
Day or night hardly makes a difference for recreational athletes with modern equipment - to the chagrin of the animal world, which is disturbed by noises and headlamps.
The fact that rangers are now on the move in the Mangfall Mountains, checking the bans and making people aware of the right behavior, is just as much a reaction of the nature conservation authorities to this development as the establishment of wildlife protection zones.
An area of around 320 hectares in the Rotwand area has just been set up.
That means: no entry from December to July.
Working group wants to document the effects of tourism
The “Skin of the Mountains” working group, a group of ten around founder Susanne Heim, who cares about the Tegernsee valley with its mountains and mountain forest, has meanwhile also taken on the task of investigating the often irreversible effects of tourism in the Tegernsee valley on wild animals and Documenting nature.
The members now draw attention to their work with three examples.
Camp on the new Jägersteig to the summit
The working group has its eye on a Jägersteig that was laid out about two years ago by the state forests below Halserspitz and Schildenstein. Actually with the purpose of being able to improve protective forest restoration and natural regeneration through increased game shooting. The "Wildes Bayern" association had even reported the climbing construction to the Lower Nature Conservation Authority of the District Office, because it feared that there would be a ring closure to existing marked hiking trails. During an inspection by the working group, in addition to severe erosion, exactly this was confirmed: "We learned that this path is now marked on various maps and is also available for downloading from the Internet," reports Susanne Heim. That the trail, which is traded as an "insider tip", is not only used for hiking, but also,to go camping on a quiet and secluded peak is an absurdity.
Wild animals are disturbed day and night in their retreats
"The forest loses one of its last quiet places of retreat, is disturbed at dusk and at night by noises, headlamps and campfires, which ultimately leads to even more browsing in the forest because the game no longer dares to walk on grassy areas." The working group suggests to refrain from building new platforms in the future.
"This is the only way to preserve the last oases of calm for the game."
Remote forest in Kreuther Bergen is traded as an "insider tip"
In 2018, Susanne Heim was horrified to learn that a secluded area of forest in the Kreuther Mountains was being advertised as an “insider tip”.
As a result, reports Heim, even canyoning fans discovered the area, a group of 20 with neoprene and climbing equipment even met a member of the working group while working on the documentation.
"Does it really have to be that you consciously lead people into such sensitive areas," asks the working group.
State forests: Need to become more sensitive in different places
Jörg Meyer, forest manager at the Schliersee State Forests, agrees.
One cannot forbid the free enjoyment of nature, “but we have to become more sensitive in different places.
We have always had a high number of visitors to our region, and Corona has made it even worse ”.
Little-known reserves don't need to be advertised.
As a consequence, Meyer makes it clear: Canyoning tours may not be carried out without the approval of the forestry companies.
The chamois observation station is being misused as a place to stay overnight
With the opening of the chamois observation station on the Grupeck last December, the State Forests wanted to give nature lovers a very special experience: the lookout into the chamois habitat between Plankenstein and Risserkogel.
The working group is shocked to note what is actually going on here from time to time: “In summer, the refuge is used to spend the night, or people stay overnight in a sleeping bag near the refuge so that they can find shelter in the little hut when a thunderstorm comes up. "
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Is abused for overnight stays: the chamois lookout at the Grupeck, here at the opening with Jörg Meyer from the State Forests (left).
© Archive mm
Apart from that, hikers would dismount with the headlamp if they missed the last Wallberg gondola.
Until recently, this was even promoted by a description on the Internet, which said: "With a bit of luck, you can watch the animals looking for food at the foot of the Risserkogel in the morning or in the evening." At the observation point of one and a half hours, some hikers probably misjudged the intoxication of the evening atmosphere.
State forests deleted reference to the possibility of evening observation
Because forest manager Jörg Meyer has an open ear for the working group's suggestions, he has meanwhile deleted the reference to the evening observation options from the website.
He would also like to put up signs at the hut stating that camping is forbidden in order to protect wild animals.
Meyer clarifies: "It is not the mass that behaves wrongly, but what little has increased."
The working group's examples are not about criticizing: “We want to create awareness that every new leisure activity in the mountains now often has irreversible consequences for nature and wild animals.
One thing is certain: It is getting closer and closer. "
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