Highlights 

• On 30 April 2026, the Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, signed a regulation establishing a game protection zone within the buffer zone of the 'Ujście Warty' National Park.
• The existing protection zone covered only 9% of the buffer zone (915 ha out of 10,454 ha) and did not provide sufficient safety for the animals living in the Park. 
• The expansion of the protection area will move hunting grounds approximately 1,000 m away from the boundary of the ‘Ujście Warty’ National Park, reducing pressure on game birds and protected species and limiting their disturbance.
• Culling and the elimination of invasive species according to regulations will still be permitted within the zone.
• The regulation will come into force 30 days after its publication in the Journal of Laws.

The Mouth of Warta River National Park is one of Poland’s most precious natural treasures. It is a living, vibrant ecosystem where nature is voiced by thousands of birds. Over 280 species can be found in this area, including more than 170 breeding species. Many of them are globally endangered. These include geese, ducks, grebes, herons and ruffs. Small and remarkable species such as the aquatic warbler, blue-throat bird and bearded reedling also live here. To protect them better, we are creating a conservation zone within the buffer zone of the ‘Ujście Warty’ National Park. The buffer zone will cover areas where the risk of agricultural damage is minimal. The width of the zone will depend on the distribution of bird habitats. I have just signed a regulation which will come into force in 30 days

– wrote Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Minister of Climate and Environment, on the X platform.

Stronger protection for the world’s bird sanctuary

The ‘Ujście Warty’ National Park is one of Europe’s most important wetland areas, protected under the RAMSAR Convention and the Natura 2000 network as a sanctuary of global significance. The area’s natural wealth is unique – numerous species listed in the ‘Polish Red Data Book of Animals’ have been recorded here, and during migration and wintering periods, the number of geese and cranes reaches even 200,000 individuals.

The area’s significance for the global bird population has led to measures being taken to expand the area where they will be effectively protected.

The regulation establishing a protection zone, which puts an end to traditional hunting, ensures that birds, including game species, have safe conditions for living, foraging and wintering.

Population control and compensation scheme

The new regulations strike a balance between nature conservation and the needs of the local community. Within the protection zone, measures related to animal population control will be permitted, including culling and the elimination of invasive species, conducted according to applicable regulations. In emergency situations, such as the risk of the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., ASF), provision has also been made for the possibility of culling for sanitary purposes.

The compensation system for landowners is also of key importance. Pursuant to Article 126(8) and (9) of the Act on Nature Conservation, damage caused by game animals in the protection zone will be assessed by the National Park Service, and compensation will be paid by the national park. This means that landowners enjoy a full guarantee of payment of the compensation due, and there is no risk of damage remaining uncompensated.