Saxony: Greens call for de-escalation when clearing the climate protest camp

Dresden (dpa/sn) - The Greens have called for gentle handling of climate activists when clearing the protest camp in the Heidebogen forest north of Dresden.

Saxony: Greens call for de-escalation when clearing the climate protest camp

Dresden (dpa/sn) - The Greens have called for gentle handling of climate activists when clearing the protest camp in the Heidebogen forest north of Dresden. The emergency services would have to "de-escalate as much as possible" and ensure that no one was harmed, explained state head Christin Furtenbacher on Tuesday in Dresden. The forest has been occupied by conservationists for about a year and a half. They have erected tree houses there and are opposed to clearing the forest to remove gravel. The camp will be cleared in the coming days.

"We are very concerned about the climate-damaging effects of gravel mining," stressed Furtenbacher. A careful environmental impact assessment is required for the planned expansion of gravel quarrying to include the Würschnitz-West area. In addition, the nature conservation authorities have a duty to thoroughly investigate indications of illegal, environmentally harmful deposits and inputs into the groundwater. "The advancing climate change and the extinction of species do not tolerate negligence and leniency when it comes to protecting our natural foundations of life."

Furtenbacher wants to get an impression of the situation on site on Wednesday. From the point of view of the green-led Saxon Ministry of the Environment, bog protection and gravel mining are compatible if protective measures are observed. Organizations such as the Nature Conservation Union in Saxony disagree. The company Kieswerk KBO has a permit for the mining of gravel on the occupied forest area. It is also planning to expand mining to the "Würschnitz-West" area. However, the planning approval process is still ongoing.