Tuchola Forest National Park

Infobox_protected_area
name = Tuchola Forest National Park
native_name = Park Narodowy Bory Tucholskie
iucn_category = II

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location = Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
area = 46.13 km²
established = 1996
governing_body = Polish Ministry of the Environment

Tuchola Forest National Park ( _pl. Park Narodowy Bory Tucholskie) is a national park in Poland, created on July 1, 1996. It covers an area of convert|46.13|km2|sqmi of forests, lakes, meadows and peat-bogs. The Park is located in the northern part of Poland, in Chojnice County in Pomeranian Voivodeship, in the heart of the Tuchola Forest, the largest in Poland. It is surrounded by a larger protected area called Zaborski Landscape Park.

Area

The first proposal stipulated that the national park would cover 130 square kilometres, but after numerous discussions with local authorities it was decided that the borders would cover only the area of the so-called Seven Lakes Stream (Struga Siedmiu Jezior). Land incorporated into the national park belonged to the state, not to private individuals. Forests, meadows and peat-bogs had previously been part of Forest Preserve Rytel and the lakes had been administered by the State Agency of Agricultural Land.

Features

The area of the Tuchola Wilderness was shaped by the Scandinavian Glacier; for the most part, it is covered by sandy plains. These plains are diversified by numerous dunes and lakes. The lakes are long and narrow, creating water channels of which the longest is 17 km. The soil in the park is of poor quality.

There are more than 20 lakes in the Park, some of them are pristine, of crystal-clear waters (e.g. Gacno Wielkie and Male, Nierybno, Gluche). Numerous species (around 25) of fish can be found here as well as European beaver.

The national park is a haven for birds - there are 144 species of them, including crane and eagle owl. The symbol of the Park - wood grouse - until recently was common in the area, especially in the Forest District of Klosnowo. Now, authorities of the national park, plan to reintroduce this bird. A particularly important part of fauna are bats - several species of them thrive in the Park.

Tourism

Most important tourist centers of Tuchola Wilderness are located by the Charzykowskie and Karsinskie lakes. In recent years agro-tourim has become popular - e.g. in the village of Swornegacie. The Brda river is a kayaking trail.

Charzykowy is famous as the birthplace of Polish inland yachting. The Charzykowy lake offers good yachting both in summer and in winter. There are several bicycle trails which let tourists get acquainted with Tuchola Wilderness’ attractions. Also, the Wilderness is crossed by numerous walking trails - among them the Kaszubski Trail from Chojnice to Wiela.

Bibliography

*Begni, Gerard (2002). "Observing Our Environment From Space." Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.
*(1997). "Environmental Protection Improves, Says Zelichowski." "Poland News Bulletin". January 13.