A dark period
The period of Soviet occupation had a heavy impact on air and soil pollution. The Czech Republic, which had a long industrial tradition, was exploited for all its mining and agricultural resources during decades of communist rule. The "acid rain triangle" covered an industrial area between northern Bohemia, Poland and Germany, over which all mining and chemical residues were released into the atmosphere. The effect was dramatic for the forests in the north of the country. There are still many industrial or military wastelands and their "cleaning" or transformation is still very expensive. Nevertheless, the conversion of the blast furnaces in Ostrava and the surrounding former industrial wastelands such as the coal mines into cultural sites proves that everything is feasible, provided that the means are available. Coal-fired heating has also contributed significantly to air pollution, and the Czech Republic remains in the sights of Brussels for its fine-particle emissions, even though the situation has improved greatly, especially in the capital. On the agricultural side, deforestation and the disappearance of hedges, embankments and ditches that channeled the flow of rainwater have given way to large cultivated areas without natural barriers, which directly resulted in the catastrophic and deadly floods of 2002 and 2011.
A still very rich fauna
Mountains, gently rolling hills and large plains in the east and center shape the country, wheat, vegetables, fruit and hops, of course, which make Czech beers famous. The many forests are full of deer, elk, rabbits, foxes, wild cats, wild boar, mink, fallow deer, mouflons, etc. There are also no less than 20 species of bats in the area, in caves and thick forests, and around 1,400 species of butterflies. In the mountains, one can also meet marmots and birds of prey. The boreal lynx was reintroduced to the mountainous regions about ten years ago, but it is very rare to come across it. In the east, from time to time, a bear or a wolf from the mountains of Slovakia wanders into Czech territory. Rivers and lakes are full of fish and are good places for bird watching (birds of prey, migratory birds). Otters and beavers can also be seen here. The surrounding marshes are home to pheasants, partridges and wild geese, which are very popular with hunters. Among the endangered species in the Czech Republic are the brown bear, which has become very rare, and the European eel, which has been decimated by poaching, overfishing and pollution. As for dangerous species, since large mammalian predators are kept out of sight, you have nothing to fear from wild animals except disturbing a sleeping viper.
And a notable flora
The flora is also rich, and some areas, such as the Dehadec Steppe, the oak forests in South Moravia and the Boubín forest in Šumava are a paradise for botanists. In total, the forest covers one third of the Czech territory. It is made up of oak and beech trees, as well as pine, spruce and lime trees (the country's emblematic plant). Unfortunately, the highland forest in northern Bohemia has suffered greatly from acid rain.
An ecological awareness
The Czech Republic has a number of national parks that you can visit at your leisure during your trip. The Šumava Park in South Bohemia is the largest with almost 700 square kilometers of protected area, mostly covered by forests. In the high wooded hills where there are many hiking trails, you can observe lynxes and go up to the sources of the Vltava, the emblematic river of the Czech Republic. In North Bohemia, you can go to the protected areas of the Krkonoše National Park
(or Giant Mountains National Park, easier to pronounce...). This is the oldest of the parks, established in 1963 around the highest point in the Czech Republic, Mount Sněžka, at 1,602 m above sea level. It is characterized by high mountains and a rich fauna (raptors in particular). There is large-scale cross-country skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The Dyje River Park in South Moravia protects a beautiful forested valley surrounded by rich pastures particularly suitable for cycling and bird watching. The state of conservation of these forest steppes and alluvial meadows is unique in Central Europe. Finally, the Czech Switzerland National Park in North Bohemia is the newest in the Czech Republic. There are special geological sandstone formations north of the town of Děčin, embedded in forests of pine, spice and beech. Look up: you have a good chance of spotting peregrine falcons there! In addition to these national parks, which cover an area equivalent to 15% of the country's surface, the Czech Republic has many nature reserves such as the White Carpathians, Česky Ráj, Pávala and Třeboň, among others. Access to the parks is limited to a restricted number of visitors and the whole thing is governed by a specific body, the equivalent of the French National Forestry Office. However, they are extremely popular with Czechs, who are great lovers of outdoor activities: hiking, skiing, mountain biking, climbing.
