A very special Christmas gift: a primeval forest certificate

With Christmas just around the corner, people are taking the shops by storm looking for just the right gift to please someone. Billions of crowns are being spent on electronic appliances, jewellery, toys and cosmetics. Environmentalists have now come forward with an alternative suggestion - why not spend a little on Nature - and wrap up a primeval forest certificate as a special Xmas gift?

Photo: Nový prales

If you are looking for something original and have already presented your loved one with a star and a plot of land on the moon, it may be time to look closer to home. How about a bit of primeval forest? Or rather something that should one day turn into a rare primeval forest in the heart of Europe?

Last year Czech conservationists and botanists from the north Bohemian city of Liberec launched a unique project - they bought an ordinary plot of forest land situated on the southern slope of Jested Mountain and started the process of transforming it into a primeval forest as used to exist in this part of Europe before the onset of extensive agriculture. This involves planting a great many firs, beeches, lime trees, ashes, elms and yews in what had become a monoculture spruce forest. Of course, it will take another 50 years before it begins to resemble a primeval forest but, environmentalists say, if you buy a token certificate now you will certainly help the process along. Vojtech Kotecky explains why it is a good idea:

Photo: Nový prales

"This is actually something that is quite common in western countries - that an organization offers you an opportunity to acquire a token share of a protected area or nature reservation. If you look at countries like the UK or Switzerland, conservation organizations in those countries are at least as effective as their governments in preserving natural habitats through this kind of activity. In this way you can both help Nature and give your friends something original at Christmas - something that they will not have to store in their flat or garage for years."

So if any of your Christmas gifts have ended up in someone's garage, think about getting that someone a primeval forest certificate. They will be told how the forest is coming along and they will be invited to make a trip out to see it for themselves in the spring. The Friends of Nature organization is planning to make a narrow path through the forest for visitors to see the changes it undergoes as it returns to its virgin state.