This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-is-turning-62-military-bases-into-wildlife-sanctuaries-10332109.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Germany is turning 62 military bases into wildlife sanctuaries | Germany is turning 62 military bases into wildlife sanctuaries |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| They were once military bases at the epicentre 50 year war between the world's two superpowers, they will soon become a haven for rare birds other animals. | They were once military bases at the epicentre 50 year war between the world's two superpowers, they will soon become a haven for rare birds other animals. |
| The German government has announced plans to convert 62 disused military bases just west of Iron Curtain into nature reserves for eagles, woodpeckers, bats, and beetles. | The German government has announced plans to convert 62 disused military bases just west of Iron Curtain into nature reserves for eagles, woodpeckers, bats, and beetles. |
| Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said: "We are seizing a historic opportunity with this conversion — many areas that were once no-go zones are no longer needed for military purposes. | Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said: "We are seizing a historic opportunity with this conversion — many areas that were once no-go zones are no longer needed for military purposes. |
| “We are fortunate that we can now give these places back to nature." | “We are fortunate that we can now give these places back to nature." |
| For years military land in Germany has been opened up to wild animals (Klaus Matwijow, 1984) Together the bases take up 31,000 hectares — that's equivalent to 40,000 football pitches. Their conversion will see Germany's total area of protected wildlife increase by a quarter. | For years military land in Germany has been opened up to wild animals (Klaus Matwijow, 1984) Together the bases take up 31,000 hectares — that's equivalent to 40,000 football pitches. Their conversion will see Germany's total area of protected wildlife increase by a quarter. |
| After toying with the idea of selling the land off as real estate, the government opted instead to make a grand environmental gesture. It another addition to what has now known as the European Green Belt. | After toying with the idea of selling the land off as real estate, the government opted instead to make a grand environmental gesture. It another addition to what has now known as the European Green Belt. |
| The European Green Belt in near Lower Saxony, Germany (Klaus Leidorf) A spokesperson from The European Green Belt told The Independent: "In the remoteness of the inhuman border fortifications of the Iron Curtain nature was able to develop nearly undisturbed. | |
| "Today the European Green Belt is an ecological network and memorial landscape running from the Barents to the Black Sea." | "Today the European Green Belt is an ecological network and memorial landscape running from the Barents to the Black Sea." |