The Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) has called on Poland’s top authorities to incorporate the potential of natural environments in the development of the ‘Eastern Shield’ initiative.
The appeal, addressed to the prime minister, president, ministers of defense, internal affairs and administration, climate and environment, as well as relevant parliamentary committees, was adopted by PAN’s presidium on Tuesday and conveyed to PAP.
The scientists proposed cooperation with the government on environmental issues related to the ‘Eastern Shield,’ specifically “developing a plan for proper environmental management in the border zone, including areas of natural value.”
The scientists proposed cooperation with the government on environmental issues related to the ‘Eastern Shield,’ specifically “developing a plan for proper environmental management in the border zone, including areas of natural value.”
“We want to draw attention to the fact that proper environmental management in border regions carries significant potential for effectively securing the state border and reducing the threat of military aggression while preserving and even enhancing the environmental and natural values of these areas,” the PAN scientists wrote.
The Presidium of PAN, echoing the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, highlighted that raising groundwater levels, expanding river floodplains, restoring wetlands, and afforestation could be significant barriers against military aggression.
They added that appropriate management of sites like the UNESCO World Heritage site Białowieża Forest, based on conservation and defense knowledge, “could yield double benefits.”
The PAN scientists believe this approach would enhance security while helping fulfill Poland’s international biodiversity protection commitments regarding areas like the Białowieża Forest.
Prof. Rafał Kowalczyk, chairman of the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology and part of the Mammal Research Institute of PAN in Białowieża, previously stated that valuable natural sites like the Białowieża Forest should not be fortified.
The forest's wet, marshy environments, river valleys, and deadwood serve as a “natural barrier” against heavy equipment, which would be more effective than man-made fortifications, he argued.
Kowalczyk said that “reversing drainage and creating marshlands would be the best barrier, rather than pouring concrete into wild, unique nature.”
The presidium of PAN urged the prime minister to seize this opportunity and include an environmental perspective in the ‘Eastern Shield’ program, emphasizing that using environmental knowledge can significantly enhance Poland's security while preserving valuable natural areas.
The ‘Eastern Shield’ National Defense and Deterrence Plan is a program announced in May by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It focuses on building a range of military infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the Polish Army, such as improving logistics and reconnaissance systems on the eastern border, and making it difficult for potential aggressors by constructing various barriers and fortifications, including creating dense forests and marshes to limit mobility.
The draft resolution on the ‘Eastern Shield’ program for 2024–2028 was added to the government’s agenda on Monday and is expected to be adopted by the end of June. Investments under this program are planned along 700 km of the border, including 400 km with Belarus, and 10 billion zloty (2.34 billion euro) has been allocated for materials alone.
The Presidium of PAN, echoing the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, highlighted that raising groundwater levels, expanding river floodplains, restoring wetlands, and afforestation could be significant barriers against military aggression.
They added that appropriate management of sites like the UNESCO World Heritage site Białowieża Forest, based on conservation and defense knowledge, “could yield double benefits.”
The PAN scientists believe this approach would enhance security while helping fulfill Poland’s international biodiversity protection commitments regarding areas like the Białowieża Forest.
Prof. Rafał Kowalczyk, chairman of the Committee of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology and part of the Mammal Research Institute of PAN in Białowieża, previously stated that valuable natural sites like the Białowieża Forest should not be fortified.
The forest's wet, marshy environments, river valleys, and deadwood serve as a “natural barrier” against heavy equipment, which would be more effective than man-made fortifications, he argued.
Kowalczyk said that “reversing drainage and creating marshlands would be the best barrier, rather than pouring concrete into wild, unique nature.”
The presidium of PAN urged the prime minister to seize this opportunity and include an environmental perspective in the ‘Eastern Shield’ program, emphasizing that using environmental knowledge can significantly enhance Poland's security while preserving valuable natural areas.
The ‘Eastern Shield’ National Defense and Deterrence Plan is a program announced in May by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It focuses on building a range of military infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the Polish Army, such as improving logistics and reconnaissance systems on the eastern border, and making it difficult for potential aggressors by constructing various barriers and fortifications, including creating dense forests and marshes to limit mobility.
The draft resolution on the ‘Eastern Shield’ program for 2024–2028 was added to the government’s agenda on Monday and is expected to be adopted by the end of June. Investments under this program are planned along 700 km of the border, including 400 km with Belarus, and 10 billion zloty (2.34 billion euro) has been allocated for materials alone.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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