The government would sell the natural wonders of Hungary

The three biggest Hungarian conservationist organizations – the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society (MME), the WWF Hungary, and the National Society of Conservationists-Friends of the Earth Hungary (MTVSZ) – demand that Sándor Fazekas, minister of agriculture, should refuse to allow the selling of the Natura 2000 area, which is the natural habitat of bustards, writes nol.hu.

The government is planning to sell lands in such areas as Little Cumania (Kiskunság), the Little Hungarian Plain (Kisalföld), and the Hevesi plain (Hevesi-sík), which are natural habitats of bustards; this bird is among the most endangered species in Europe.  Only a couple of thousands of bustards are living within the borders of the EU, and 1400-1500 of them reside in Hungary, making it the biggest population in Central Europe. In spite of that, those lands not owned by national parks, but by the government, would be privatised in several counties. It means only a couple of thousand acres but those lands, such as in upper Little Cumania (felső-kiskunsági), are central for the species to survive; it’s a crucial mating area with contiguous lawn and field, and the only space where there is a chance for the growth of the bustard population.
The organizations gave way to their concerns in connection with the selling of the Natura 2000 area several times before, and they even had part in the procedure which made it unconstitutional to sell lands which belong to national parks.