Two new eco-tourism centers open in Hungary

A pair of new "ecotourism" centers have been opened in Hungary, with the intent of catering to the growing number of vacationers interested in enjoying - and protecting - the environment, reports uniospenz.hu, a portal focused on EU-financed developments in Hungary. The two developments are in Rácalmás, in Fejér Couny, near Dunaújváros, and Szolnok (Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County. The Rácalmás center is located on an island in the Danube, while the one in Szolnok is near a densely-populated housing estate.

The Rácalmás center, located on Nagy-sziget (Large Island), includes a two-kilometer-long "educational path" running along the river's wetlands, where the region's rich flora and fauna can be observed. Visitors have the use of two bird observation stations, and are helped along by numerous information boards. Several disused farm buildings have been turned into community buildings, interactive multimedia centers and handicraft and gastronomy workshops. At the multimedia center, visitors can learn about the natural and cultural treasures of the Danube and its environs, including the life of Danube fisherman, while at the handicraft workshop they can try their hands at pottery, weaving and blacksmithing.

The Rácalmás center can be reached by bicycle or by river from Budapest. It is located at the first boat landing downriver from Budapest's Csepel Island, and has a capacity of 50 vessels. In addition, Nagy-sziget and Dunaújváros are connected by a 50-kilometer bicycle path.

The Szolnok ecotouristic center is located near the district of the town crowded with of Communist-era housing blocks (panelházak). The center's largest element is a 200-hectare oak forest which includes an 11-kilometer path appropriate for walking, cycling or horseback riding. At the edge of the forest is Hungary's largest playground, built from acacia trees. The center also includes a "forest school" and a wooden building which can be used as a workshop or accommodation in winter. At the adjacent wildlife reserve, visitors can meet some of the country's wild and domestic animals.

At the center's recent inauguration, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development József Gráf said that 36,000 hectares of forest had been planted in Hungary the past two years. "Since the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary has never had more forests than now," the minister said, referring to the World War I-era dismemberment of historic Hungary, urging the planting of more forests. There are currently 2 million hectares of forests in Hungary, which translates into 20% of the country's territory.

The Nagy-sziget is a protected area rich in rare fish (e.g. Réticsík, Misgurnus fossilis and Lápi póc, Umbra krameri), amphibians (e.g. Barna ásóbéka, Pelobates fuscus) and birds (e.g. Black stork).

Szolnok is also called "the town of waters" ("vizek városa"), because it lies on the Great Hungarian Plain where two rivers, the Tisza and the Zagyva, meet. The rivers and their backwaters provide opportunity for fishing (catfish, carp). An interesting natural treasure of the town is the nests of a type of swallow, the House Martins (Delichon urbica), which can be seen under the balconies of downtown buildings. They have been protected since 1980, after it was established that this is the country's largest known nesting place of these birds. Szolnok is one of the most sunniest and driest towns in Hungary, where summer vacations are unlikely to be disturbed by rain. The town is also rich in thermal water.

The Szolnok center involved an investment of over Ft 200 million, including Ft 33 million from EU tenders.

The local government of Rácalmás established its center using Ft 530 million (approximately €2 million) from state funds, and Ft 488 million won at a tender, Mayor István Schrick said.

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