Large-Scale Nature Conservation Project to Restore Hortobágy Fishponds

MTI-Hungary Today 2025.04.23.

The Hortobágy Great Fishponds will be restored with EU funding of around HUF 650 million (EUR 1.6 million). Thanks to the monumental development, the largest contiguous wetland in the Hortobágy Plains (Puszta) can preserve its unique natural values and rich bird life in the long term by ensuring water management and extensive aquaculture, the State Secretary for Nature Conservation said at an event presenting the project.

András Rácz explained that the project titled “Improvement of water supply and nature conservation management of the Hortobágy Great Fishponds” will enable the improvement of the oldest fish ponds in the Hortobágy.

During the modernization,

the ponds’ water supply and control structures will be renewed,
other pond facilities will be restored,
the wintering ponds will be cleaned,
the feeding channel will be partially restored,
fishing places will be constructed, and
the main dam will be made accessible.

The aim of the project is to maintain the ponds of the pond system in a state suitable for extensive aquaculture.

The project will enrich a jewel of the Natura 2000 network, a bird paradise and one of the most beautiful wetlands in Hungary, for future generations to enjoy. The Hortobágy Great Fishponds, with 1,850 hectares, are protected by the Ramsar Convention.

The area is one of the most important bird habitats in Central Europe, where tens of thousands of migratory birds roost every year,

András Rácz noted.

The State Secretary stressed that the protection of wetlands is key to preserving Hungary’s biodiversity. The project is an example not only for the Hortobágy Plains but for the whole country, as it contributes to the fulfillment of national and international nature conservation obligations, the stable functioning of the local economy, the presentation of natural values and the development of tourism.

Fact

The nearly 75,000-hectare area of the Hortobágy National Park is located on the Great Hungarian Plain in eastern Hungary. The so-called Hortobágy Puszta, part of the national park, is a cultural landscape that consists of a vast area of plains and wetlands. The landscape has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1999. The most famous species of Hortobágy are the Hungarian Grey cattle, Racka sheep, the Mangalica pig and the Nonius horse. The area’s colorful bird life is also unique, with 342 bird species registered so far.

Biosphere Reserves to Be Restored in Cooperation with Slovakia

The project will be implemented with EUR 1 million EU funding.Continue reading

Via MTI, Featured image: Pixabay