When inaugurating the conference, Deputy Minister Małgorzata Golińska presented the history of creating the Białowieski National Park.

The result of commitment, many studies and efforts was the creation, on 29 December 1921, of the first 5 reserves, two of which gave rise to the Białowieski National Park. This is why today we are starting the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Białowieski National Park

– said Deputy Minister Golińska.

She also added that the interest in nature conservation is growing year by year.

Today, the issues related to nature conservation are an extremely important topic. We are talking about biodiversity, deforestation and species conservation. Meanwhile, even 100 years ago, just after regaining independence, people thought about the protection of resources.

– she pointed out.

As mentioned by the Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, the Ministry of Climate and Environment is working on a new act on national parks.

Currently, we have 23 National Parks in Poland. In view of their development, the government is working on an act to govern their park activities.

– she emphasised.

The Deputy Minister also stressed that the forests of the Białowieski National Park, with 100 years of strict protection (the longest one in Poland), diversified natural habitats, old, dying and dead trees, create the living environment for many organisms, which is unique on a European scale. This forest is the kingdom of birds, insects, fungi, lichens. It is also the kingdom of European bison – the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe.

The Białowieża Forest attracts scientists and nature lovers from all over the world. Tourists are willing to come here, wishing to become familiar with the forest unchanged by humans, along with its rich history and culture of the region, and to see the European bison which is a symbol of the Białowieski National Park and the whole region of the Białowieża Forest. Also, UNESCO acknowledged the uniqueness of the Forest, by entering it in the List of World Heritage Sites and recognising it as a Biosphere Reserve.

– she said.

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The event inaugurating the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Białowieski National Park was also attended by the Director of the Białowieski National Park, Michał Krzysiak and the members of the Scientific Council of the Białowieski National Park, Prof. dr hab. Bogumiła Jędrzejewska and dr hab. Rafał Paluch.