Part of the ČSA mine in Czechia's Most region is to become a national nature monument

Part of the brown coal ČSA mine in the Most region, where coal mining is due to end before the site is reclaimed, is to become a national nature monument, the 15th in the Ústí nad Labem Region. Today, the government heard a report on the proposal from the Ministry of the Environment, including a draft management plan, according to the press office of the Strakova Academy. Coal mining at the ČSA mine is expected to end around the turn of 2025 and 2026. Part of the area will be left to nature, a body of water will be created there, and another part will be used for energy production.

The Ministry of the Environment will begin the process of designating the specially protected area, which can take up to a year and a half, by sending the document to the affected regions, municipalities and property owners. They can file objections to the designation proposal and submit comments on the draft management plan, the office of Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) said in a press release.

According to the minister, the site is one of the few places where nature can be observed developing undisturbed. A diverse community of plants and animals has emerged there. „I believe this new addition to the protected natural areas, near which the Jezerka National Nature Reserve and Jezeří Castle are also located, will become a popular tourist destination, a place to relax and a celebration of nature’s unique energy,“ he said.

The protected area is expected to cover approximately 12 square kilometres. Naturalists have found around 300 threatened species listed in red lists at the ČSA mine and in its surroundings, while another hundred are specially protected by law.