Swiss Initiatives Gain Massive Support to Protect Forests and Democracy
Two significant initiatives, Forest Protection and Municipality Protection, have gained substantial support in Switzerland, with over 106,000 and 107,000 valid signatures respectively. These initiatives aim to safeguard Switzerland's forests, biodiversity, and direct democracy.
The Forest Protection Initiative, spearheaded by BUND Naturschutz in Bayern e.V., seeks to prevent wind turbines from being built in forests or on their edges. It also prohibits clearances for wind turbine construction. This initiative echoes the spirit of Switzerland's first nature protection law, the Forestry Law of 1872.
The Municipality Protection Initiative, with 106,010 signatures, demands that all affected municipalities have the right to vote on wind parks. This initiative reverses the recent trend of several cantons abolishing municipalities' say in wind park planning, a right that was previously standard throughout Switzerland.
Both initiatives share a common goal: to preserve Switzerland's intact landscape, biodiversity, and unique democracy. They have been driven by concerns about the planned construction of around 100 wind turbines in the canton of Zurich, almost all in valuable forests.
The Forest Protection and Municipality Protection Initiatives have demonstrated significant public support, with over 106,000 and 107,000 valid signatures respectively. These initiatives aim to secure the proven protection of forests, nature, and direct democracy in Switzerland, reflecting the country's commitment to sustainable development and democratic principles.
