Restrictions on ascending Battert-Felsen deemed excessive by the German Alpine Association
The year-long climbing ban at the Badener Wand in Battert nature reserve near Baden-Baden was the focus of a hearing at the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe today.
The ban, implemented in 2022 due to bird conservation reasons, has been a topic of contention, with the German Alpine Club expressing concerns that the measure is excessive.
The court reviewed the case regarding the climbing restrictions intended to protect the area's sensitive bird habitats. However, as of the latest information, no immediate reversal or lifting of the ban was reported, meaning climbers must continue to observe the existing year-round climbing prohibition at this site.
The peregrine falcon, a strictly protected bird species, is the primary focus of the ban. The Karlsruhe Regional Council believes that previous disturbances by climbers have caused a lack of breeding success for the falcons. The ban is aimed at protecting this bird, which has been breeding at the site for years.
An ornithologist was heard at today's oral hearing, and an expert opinion disputes the claim made by the Regional Council, stating that the number of fledged young peregrine falcons has not increased since the ban.
The DAV (German Alpine Club) demands a return to the previous seasonal climbing ban during the breeding season. A verdict could be sent to the parties involved later today.
For the most precise and up-to-date details, it is advisable to check official announcements from local nature conservation authorities or Baden-Baden's environmental offices, as legal and regulatory statuses can evolve following court decisions or subsequent appeals.
In the debate, both the German Alpine Club and the DAV are advocating for a change in the conservation measures at the Badener Wand, with the former suggesting a return to the seasonal ban, and the latter proposing that the ban should focus on the breeding season only. Despite the oral hearing today, no immediate change to the year-long ban has been reported, and the sports enthusiasts must continue to abide by the restrictions for now. Meanwhile, the scientific community is not in consensus, as an ornithologist's testimony at the hearing, and an expert opinion, cast doubts on the effectiveness of the current environmental-science measures aimed at protecting the peregrine falcon.
