Guidance Creation and protection of nature areas

Index Creation and protection of nature areas section

• Progress in the creation of new nature areas
• Areas in the Netherlands covered by the EU Birds and Habitat Directives
• Progress on implementation of Birds in Habitat Directives
• Nature Conservancy Act areas
• Protection of nature areas
• National Parks

The EU's Birds Directive (Directive 79/409/EEC), together with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) forms the backbone of EU policy on nature. Implementation of these directives is intended to lead to the creation of a European ecological network, "Natura 2000". One of the aims of the Dutch government's memorandum on "Nature for People, People for Nature" (Natuur voor Mensen, Mensen voor Natuur) is to help set up that network, of which the Dutch EHS forms part. The obligations arising from EU policy comprise implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives in national legislation and the registration of Special Areas of Conservation.

The Dutch government has now registered the areas covered by the Birds Directive and is currently engaged in registering those covered by the Habitats Directive. Areas of land can be designated as protected areas as part of the EHS, in connection with the European directives, or under the terms of the Nature Conservancy Act (Natuurbeschermingwet). National Parks have also been created in order to protect large nature areas; these are also important for recreation.