The Bialowieza Forest: An Amazing Nature Reserve
Straddling the territories of Poland and Belarus, the Bialowieza Forest is one of the few virgin forests that still remain on the European continent. Just because it is resistant to all kinds of disasters, policies and conflicts, it is already worth knowing. In addition, once, in it we will be surprised by its exceptional plant and animal richness, worthy of being admired and preserved.
One national park and two countries
The fact that we have named that the extension of the Bialowieza forest is developed by two countries is a very relevant data. To begin because the requirements are different to be able to enter Poland and Belarus.
And as for the forest itself, it must be said that the territories of both countries are physically separated by a fence. An element that not only prevents border transit for people, but also even for the greatest value of the forest: its animals.
Of course, its name is different. Its Polish area is called Bialowieza Forest, like the nearest town. While the Belarusian area is called Belavezha.
The fauna of the Bialowieza Forest
As we have already advanced, the most characteristic are the many animals that live there. And among them , the European bison, a species in serious danger of extinction, stands out especially. However, there are other interesting animals, such as the peculiar konik horses or elk, as well as wild boars, roe deer, deer and also wolves or foxes.
Undoubtedly, the bison is the one that attracts the most attention, but in addition to it, in the rivers that run through this Bialowieza Forest, we must also mention the European beaver, another endangered animal. Long ago there were brown bears, although they no longer live here. Instead, there are invasive species like the raccoon dog.
The flora of the Bialowieza Forest
Regardless of its wildlife wealth, the great value of the Bialowieza Forest is that it has survived to this day with little human transformation. It is not an ancient forest, such as Garajonay on the Canary Island of La Gomera, nor is it a forest stronghold with extraordinary species such as the redwoods in the United States.
The important thing here is that nature has dictated the rhythms and cycles of life. Thus we can see how a forest dominated by species as common as ash, elm, linden, beech or oak has evolved over centuries. By the way, in some of these cases they are trees with more than five centuries of age.
Conservation of the ecosystem
The great triumph of the Bialowieza Forest is that a comprehensive environmental policy is currently being developed here. And that means, for example, that when a tree dies, no one is going to remove it from there. It follows its natural cycle of decomposition and serves as a base for lichens, mosses, mushrooms or for small animals to take refuge.
Another protective feature is that you cannot freely enter the Bialowieza Forest. You always have to do it in the company of specialized park personnel. This guarantees the conservation of the space and also the enjoyment, since thanks to it the visit is safer, it is not easy to get lost and also always takes hikers to the most interesting places.
Visit in Poland or Belarus
The condition of visiting the Bialowieza Forest accompanied is common on both sides of the border. But on the Belarusian side it is more complicated, since only a certain number of visits are allowed and the procedures must be carried out in advance.
On the other hand, on the Polish side the influx of tourists is increasing. Thus, what until recently was a little-known site is becoming a place that often appears in the lists of ‘the best of Poland’.
That is why there are different forms of visits there. You can do routes on foot, but there are also mountain bike tours available. Even in carriages tours are offered. Not only that, there is also a hotel in a former hunting lodge of the last Russian tsars, who came to be the owners of this wonder of nature. Fortunately, today they are publicly owned.
