History

The last genuine European virgin forest, untouched for centuries, is situated along Polish-Byelorussian border, not far from the town of Bialoweza (Poland) and Kamenec (Byelorussia). From total virgin forest extention (it is, as a biospherical reservation, registered in UNESCO Heritage Survey) - 580 square kilometres are placed in Poland, and 880 square kilometres in Byelorussia territory. This virgin forest is protected with Byelowesh National Park in Poland and Byelowesh Pustscha in Byelorussia. Local gigantic forest could serve as a side-scene of old legends and fairyrtales. No tree was rooted up within centuries. Even sick trees are left there and fallen trunks are let to be left on spot. The forests had be be renewed with its own force. Just in 1541, this area became protected hunting ground with a target, to protect the aurochs. Since 1557, the forest agriculture started to be severly regulated. A wood was never exploited there, because the forest was too humid and unaccessible. Since 1598, the hunting  was permitted for Polish Kings only, and after 1795, the hunting was allowed for Russian monarchs only. So, even during the 1st World War, the preparations for rooting up were made. A special railway nest was constructed for wood transportation. Five millions of cubic metres of the wood were rooted up here. Later, the forest was let and wood-cutter works were stopped.

Present time

Extensive forest on watershed of Black and Baltic Sea is a rest of continental forest copse, which connected Russian tundra with steppe areas at Black and Baltic Sea in past. So, it could be possible to explain a fact, why, except north sorts of plants, there were maintained here sorts of south Europe origin. Many very old trunks are covered with mushrooms and lichens, which are typical with its extraordinary variety of local life. So, on Byelorussian part of the forest, 900 sorts of blowing plants were calculated (on Polish part 630 sorts of plants and 26 trees). The pine-trees reach the height of 50 metres, the oaks, ash-trees, and linden-trees reach the height of 40 metres. Many of them are more than 500 years old, and the diameter of their trunks could make up to two metres. According to the base and humidity degree, twenty various communities were expanded, which covered nearly all Byelorussian part. There are mixed copse, composed mostly of oaks, linden-trees and hornbeam forests. Moreover, there are appearing two bushy communities, such as hazel-nut forests as well as various communities of swamps and meadows. Many of plants, which are to be found there, are menaced sorts in another parts of Europe. Despite the fact that the forest was left to its destiny, it is admirable scarse and light and less undergrowth is to be found there, as assumed. Extraordinary wealthy fauna is a reason for this fact, which found there its unique, undisturbed rescue place. The forest offers suitable conditions for survive of all animals living in Europe. So, except of 8000 sorts of insect, you can find there more than 200 sorts of birds (120 sorts of them are nesting in park area). You can meet here, for instance, black stork or cranes.

Approx. 55 sorts of mammals are to be met there. Most numerous of them are, for instance, the elks, deers, roe-deers, wolves, beech-martens or otters. Nevertheless, most important are two herds of aurochs, moving independently inside the park. So, you find 250 animals in Byelorussian part, and in Polish part you can meet 300 animals (the biggest European mammals). Both herds are divided with border-fence, two metres high. Local aurochs are the last pieces of its kind, and their number was stabilized during past couple of years. The animals arose from 52 aurochs, kept in ZOO gardens. In 1929, there were chosen five animals, being bred in preserve, preparing for a life in free nature. So, in 1952, the first, not too numerous herd, was placed there. Anyway, the last wild auroch was killed in Poland in 1919, and in Byelorussia two years later. However, the visitors can hardly see these wild animals in free nature. Most of areas of both parts of national parks is not accessible for public, and, moreover, the aurochs are very timid. Also the other animals could be seen and followed very rarely. Anyway, on both parts of the border, extensive preserves are existing, where the visitors could see not only the aurochs, but also the wolves and other forest animals. One run is inhabitated with tarpans´ herd, these are small tough horses. Even these animals belonged to died out animal sorts, but their survival was secured at present.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Picasaweb.com